China has tested a new variant of the YJ-18A anti-ship cruise missile bearing a black stealth coating, according to experts who say the advanced finish on the ship-launched missile will improve its penetration capability.

During a missile test in an unknown sea area, a missile was fired from a navy ship’s vertical launch system for an extreme-performance test of a new type of anti-ship missile, according to footage released by state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday that emphasised the missile’s black coating.

China’s most active-duty shipborne missiles are painted in lighter colours, such as grey or white.

“Despite complex and severe sea conditions, the test team precisely captured the missile’s flight parameters,” CCTV said. Although the footage was previously shown in early July, the black coating was only pointed out in the most recent broadcast.

“The total amount of data collected during the test was several times greater than originally planned, providing detailed and reliable data to support further improvements to the weapon system,” CCTV said, referring to the YJ-18A.

The black coating, which was revealed for the first time in broadcast at the weekend, was a type of stealth coating with strong radar-wave-absorbing properties, reducing the amount of radar energy reflected back to enemy radar and making the missile harder to detect, said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military commentator and former People’s Liberation Army instructor.

Song said the black coating also served another purpose.