Marking the first time this has occurred, a new image has been published on social media showing one of the Chinese Air Force’s new J-16D aircraft equipped with PL-15 air-to-air missiles. This platform is one of the primary assets the Asian giant has available for electronic warfare missions. To date, the model had only been seen carrying this type of armament during static displays at air shows, where it could be observed that the variant lacks IRST systems and the original design’s internal 30 mm cannon.
Expanding on the details, the image shows the aforementioned J-16D electronic warfare aircraft carrying a PL-15 missile under each wing, along with RKZ930-xx jamming pods mounted on either side, plus an additional pod in the central position between the engines, identified by an arrow in the original image. According to analysts, this could indicate that the aircraft has been operating with this type of weaponry for some time in order to carry out its missions, raising the possibility that the photograph was taken during live-fire exercises.
It is worth recalling at this point that these air-to-air missiles are estimated by Western sources to have a range of approximately 200 kilometers, standing out for their AESA radar seeker and a data link system that allows them to receive real-time updates on their targets. Their effective use in combat has also been recorded, as they are part of the armament of Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighters, which have been credited with shooting down Rafale fighters operated by India during Operation Sindoor.
Another factor that has raised questions among open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts is that, given the dimensions and shape of the PL-15 air-to-air missile, there is a possibility that the J-16D may also be capable of carrying LD-8A anti-radiation missiles. While such matters are usually kept under strict secrecy, this would represent greater flexibility for the platform when operating in modern environments, as can also be inferred from the various types of specialized pods it can integrate in different configurations. Its primary role, according to previous local reports, would be to provide support to deployments of the J-20 stealth fighter.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Asian giant not only operates the J-16D as an electronic warfare platform, but also relies on the so-called Y-9LG for such missions. This is a four-engine turboprop aircraft operated by the Chinese Air Force, whose design resembles the Shaanxi Y-9 transport aircraft, but with the addition of a large beam-mounted antenna on top of the fuselage. According to available records, its first official appearance took place in 2024, when it participated in the Falcon Strike exercise in Thailand.
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