Beijing: A Beijing-based company has developed a hypersonic glide with production costs reportedly as low as $99,000, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The glide, named YKJ-1000, has been dubbed "dirt cheap" by military commentators on state media.

According to Anadolu Agency, the YKJ-1000, also known as the "cement-coated" missile, uses civilian-grade materials such as foamed concrete in its heat-resistant coating. The missile boasts a range of up to 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) and can reach speeds of approximately Mach 7, or seven times the speed of sound.

The development is significant given the typical costs associated with such systems. For instance, the US-built SM-6 naval interceptor is priced at about $4.1 million, while interceptors in THAAD systems range from $12 million to $15 million each.

Military commentator Wei Dongxu told state broadcaster CCTV that the missile could be highly competitive if introduced to the international defense market. Many countries have yet to develop their own hypersonic missiles, and the YKJ-1000's long range, high destructive power, and strong penetration capability make it an attractive option due to its low price.

Wang Yudong, chairman of Lingkong Tianxing, the company behind the missile, stated on social media that this achievement represents the integration of national defense technology with broader societal industrial capabilities.