During the course of this week, a new image has been revealed that offers a close look at the modern PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile, which has been part of the Chinese Air Force’s arsenals for some time but about which little is known. While it is unclear when the photograph was taken, it can be seen that it was captured at some kind of fair or exhibition, where a mock-up of the missile is displayed next to a man with his face censored and a backdrop banner featuring what appears to be a J-20 fighter.
It is important to note that the PL-17 had previously been seen as part of a Chinese fighter’s armament in a low-resolution photograph taken almost ten years ago, while another appearance was only noticed in 2023 during a four-ship formation flight of J-16 fighters equipped with different air-combat loadouts, including short-, medium-, and long-range options. Even then, Western analysts began to speculate that it had already entered service or was very close to doing so—something now reinforced by the weapon’s appearance at an exhibition.
However, very few details are known about the weapon beyond its official designation. Among what is currently known, it is believed to be a missile roughly six metres long, powered by a dual-pulse rocket motor, and featuring small fins as well as a thrust-vectoring nozzle to guide it toward its target. In addition, according to reports from Western analysts, the PL-17 would have a range of around 400 kilometres, while its speed has been estimated at a minimum of Mach 4. If so, the weapon would be particularly effective against large support assets deployed behind frontline units, such as aerial refuelling tankers or airborne early warning aircraft.
Going further into the realm of speculation, reports also indicate that each missile could be equipped with an AESA-type seeker complemented by a two-way datalink and a passive anti-radiation seeker—providing high precision and a strong capability to engage the aforementioned early warning aircraft. Another point raised in some assessments was the possible presence of a small window for infrared seekers on the front section, although the recently observed mock-up would appear to rule that out.
Another noteworthy aspect, especially considering the missile’s dimensions, is which aircraft would be able to carry the PL-17. So far, the imagery referenced above has only shown the missile as part of the J-16’s armament, while its presentation alongside a promotional J-20 backdrop suggests it could also be employed by that platform, carried externally. For other aircraft in Chinese aviation such as the J-10 and J-35, it would be an overly large weapon based on the initial estimates—though it remains to be seen whether it could be used by future sixth-generation models being developed by the Asian giant.
Image credits to the respective owners
You may also like: Chengdu advances in the mass production of the J-20A, the new version of the Chinese Air Force’s fifth-generation stealth fighter
