--- title: "China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close" description: "A photo has surfaced that appears to show a mock-up of the roughly 20-foot-long weapon on display at an exhibition. A photo has appeared that appears to show a mock-up of the roughly 20-foot weapon on display in an exhibition." date: "2026-01-27" modified: "2026-01-27" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-massive-pl-17-air-to-air-missile-seen-up-close" categories: - "Air" - "Air Force Munitions" - "Air Forces" - "Air-To-Air" - "Around The Globe" - "China" - "Fighters" - "Indo-Pacific" - "J-20" - "News & Features" - "People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)" - "Uncategorized" --- # China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close ![One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.]() *via X* One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the [PL-17]() very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters. The missile has been around for a relatively long time, but next to no official details about it have been released. Meanwhile, the threat that it and [other Chinese air-to-air missiles]() pose has triggered [a flurry of weapons development]() in the United States. As is often the case with such images, we must note that the photo of the PL-17 appears authentic, but we cannot be certain of that. The date and location of the image are also unclear, but it shows a PL-17 (more accurately, a full-size mock-up of one) on a display stand at a tradeshow or exhibition. A man poses in front of the missile, face censored, while behind the weapon is a board promoting the J-20 stealth fighter. https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/2016135539544473749?s=20 We have become accustomed to ‘leaks’ out of China over many years when it comes to new military aircraft designs and their weaponry. Combined with the fact that the PL-17 was first publicly revealed in a blurry photo [close to 10 years ago](), its appearance at a tradeshow at this point might not be entirely surprising. For its part, the PLAAF [has published official imagery]() of the PL-17 (albeit showing the missile at a considerable distance, with no real detail visible). The release of the PLAAF photo, seen below, in 2023, was taken as confirmation that the missile was in operational service, or close to it, arming the J-16 Flanker. ![]() *The PLAAF image showing a formation of four J-16s with varying configurations of air-to-air missiles. Two of the fighters in question carry four PL-10s, one PL-12, four PL-15s, and one big PL-17. This loadout spans short to very long-range engagement envelopes, with the PL-17 providing unprecedented reach. *PLAAF** When the missile first appeared in public, in 2016, it was dubbed PL-XX in the West; subsequently, the PL-20 designation was suggested, but PL-17 is now confirmed, at least based on the new photo. There are reports that the missile received the Western reporting name CH-AA-12 Auger when it entered service. From the start, the PL-17 was considered to be [a very long-range AAM](), based on its prodigious size, roughly 20 feet long. For a missile with this reach, key targets are likely high-value, larger assets, including tankers and airborne early warning aircraft. ![]() *This 2016 image provided our first look at the PL-17. *Chinese internet** ![]() *Another 2016 image shows the PL-17 in more detail. *Chinese internet** In detail, the PL-17 features a dual-pulse rocket motor, while control is provided by four relatively small tail fins and a thrust-vectoring nozzle. Reportedly, the missile [has a range]() of around 250 miles, although that number is dependent on a huge array of factors, and actual range can vary dramatically based on the engagement circumstances. It is thought to have a top speed of at least Mach 4. Guidance is thought to be achieved through a combination of a two-way datalink and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker, which is said to be highly resistant to electronic countermeasures. There are also reports of a [passive anti-radiation seeker]() to supplement the main seeker. This could be especially useful against airborne early warning and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar aircraft. However, using the PL-17 to its full potential, in terms of range, engagements would likely involve targeting data provided by standoff assets, such as friendly airborne early warning aircraft (a [capability set that China has invested heavily into]()), other aircraft closer to the target, ground and surface-based radar, or even satellites. In the past, there had been speculation about a possible [optical window on the side of the nose]() of the missile that could indicate an additional infrared seeker, although there is no sign of that in the full-size mock-up version. So far, the PL-17 has only been seen carried by the J-16, although there has been an assumption that it would be adapted for [external carriage on the J-20](), too. ![]() *A J-20 with eight external missiles, not, in this case, PL-17s. *Chinese internet** Certainly, it seems too large to be used to arm the J-10 series or even the J-35, which would seem to raise a big question about its potential export prospects. On the other hand, the missile may well be envisaged as armament for forthcoming Chinese combat aircraft, most notably the [J-36 sixth-generation jet](), which features extensive internal weapons capacity. Regardless, the existence of the PL-17, along with other advanced Chinese air-to-air missile developments, has become a very serious issue for the U.S. military. Concerns about China eroding the ‘missile gap’ with the West have driven work on the still highly classified [AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile](), among [other long-range air-to-air missile initiatives](). Last year, the U.S. Navy introduced, at least on a limited scale, an air-launched version of [the Standard Missile-6]() (SM-6) under [the AIM-174B]() designation. The range of this weapon is classified but [should be far in excess]() of that of the AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), probably at least double and perhaps even triple the range, against large targets. This would imply an ability to hit some types of aerial targets over *multiple* hundreds of miles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKlPDfrxMo& For now, many questions remain about the full capabilities and technical features of the PL-17. Should the new photo be genuine, however, it would confirm that Beijing is willing to expose at least some aspects of the big missile to a broader audience. With that in mind, we might well learn more about this weapon soon. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()