China’s most powerful long-range air-to-air missile (AAM), the PL-17, has been captured in what appears to be the clearest photograph published to date, offering rare visual insight into a weapon that is reshaping modern aerial combat doctrines. The image, which has circulated widely on Chinese social media and defence-watching circles, reinforces growing evidence that very long-range air-to-air missiles (VLRAAMs) are becoming central to great-power air warfare.
Although there is no official confirmation of where or when the image was taken, analysts believe it was likely photographed at a trade show or military exposition. The image shows a PL-17 model prominently displayed, with a man—his face deliberately blurred—standing in front of a backdrop promoting the J-20 stealth fighter. The apparent casualness of the setting has fuelled speculation about China’s increasingly relaxed approach to controlled “leaks” of advanced military hardware.
Chinese military aviation specialist Andreas Rupprecht noted on X that this appears to be the first legitimate close-up image of the PLAAF’s ultra-long-range AAM, even if it is a model rather than an operational missile. He added that the timing and location of the photograph remain unknown, which only adds to the intrigue surrounding the weapon.
The PL-17 image is the latest in a series of high-profile leaks that have emerged from China over the past few years. In December 2024, images of the sixth-generation J-36 and J-50 fighter prototypes surfaced online, sparking intense global scrutiny. Similarly, missiles such as the YJ-19, YJ-15, YJ-17, and YJ-20 were seen ahead of China’s Victory Day military parade in September 2025, well before any official announcements.
These controlled disclosures have become a hallmark of Beijing’s strategic signalling—revealing just enough to unsettle rivals while maintaining ambiguity about true capabilities and deployment status.
While the PL-17 has been glimpsed before, the latest image is by far the clearest. China first revealed the missile publicly in December 2023, when an image—believed to be from state-run military publicity material—showed J-16 fighters carrying unusually large air-to-air missiles. The photo depicted four J-16s flying overhead, each loaded with a heavy complement of AAMs, including what analysts confirmed as the PL-17.
However, that earlier image raised more questions than answers. It was unclear whether the photograph was taken during routine training, a large-scale joint exercise, or missile testing. The lack of context underscored the secrecy surrounding China’s longest-range air-to-air weapon.
The newly surfaced image provides a clearer sense of the PL-17’s size—and it is unmistakably large. The missile is significantly bigger than the PL-15, China’s current mainstay beyond-visual-range AAM that equips fighters such as the J-10C, J-20, and J-35A. Its sheer dimensions explain why it is typically associated with larger aircraft or platforms featuring spacious internal weapons bays.
PLA analyst Rick Joe previously highlighted the importance of internal weapons bay (IWB) size when analysing images of the J-36 prototype. For air-to-air roles, he wrote, a large IWB enables internal carriage of oversized weapons like the PL-17 VLRAAM, or a higher number of conventional BVRAAMs. In strike roles, such bays could accommodate internal standoff weapons or rotary launchers, preserving stealth while expanding mission flexibility.
The renewed attention on the PL-17 comes just months after China’s PL-15E long-range AAM was reportedly used in real combat. During the May 2025 clash between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) claimed it employed PL-15E missiles fired from J-10C fighters to target Indian Air Force (IAF) jets. Pakistan has repeatedly asserted that multiple Indian aircraft were shot down, a claim New Delhi strongly denies.
Regardless of the disputed outcomes, the episode highlighted the operational relevance of long-range air-to-air missiles and sharpened regional and global focus on China’s missile development trajectory.
A Hong Kong–based X account, “PLA Military Updates,” described the PL-17 as the “big brother” of the PL-15, claiming a range of up to 400 kilometres, Mach 5–6 speeds, and an AESA-guided seeker designed to take down high-value targets such as stealth fighters and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Long-range and very long-range air-to-air missiles are transforming the nature of aerial combat. Instead of close-range dogfights, future engagements are increasingly expected to occur at standoff distances, often far beyond visual range. These missiles rely heavily on active radar homing, with onboard seekers providing terminal guidance and enabling “fire-and-forget” operations.
As a result, pilots are becoming less reliant on visual cues and more dependent on networked sensor data. Secure, resilient datalinks are essential for mid-course updates, while off-board sensors—from AEW aircraft to satellites—play a critical role in target acquisition and tracking.
LRAAMs are particularly optimised for neutralising high-value assets such as tankers and AEW platforms. Eliminating these force multipliers can severely degrade an adversary’s ability to coordinate and sustain air operations.
The PL-17 represents a major leap in the People’s Liberation Army’s long-range strike capability. According to assessments by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the missile—also referred to as CH-AA-X-12—likely has a range of around 400 kilometres. It is believed to use a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and a lofted flight profile to maximise reach.
The missile reportedly features a thrust-vectoring nozzle and relatively small tail fins for control, with a maximum speed estimated at Mach 4 or higher. Its active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker is thought to be highly resistant to electronic countermeasures, complemented by a two-way datalink for mid-course guidance updates.
There have also been reports of a passive anti-radiation seeker, which would allow the PL-17 to home in on radar emissions from targets such as AEW aircraft. This dual-mode approach would complicate defensive measures and increase survivability against jamming.
Indian Air Force veteran Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd) has suggested that the missile could rely on passive detection for much of its flight, only activating its radar seeker during the terminal phase. With off-board targeting updates from AEW platforms, fighters, ground-based radars, or satellites, the aircraft under attack might not even realise it is being targeted until it is too late.
The emergence of the PL-17 has directly influenced US missile development. Washington is accelerating work on the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), intended to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM and outrange Chinese systems. Meanwhile, the US Navy has unveiled the AIM-174B, an air-launched variant of the SM-6 missile, which is believed to have a range far exceeding that of existing air-to-air weapons.
A previous US Department of Defense report noted that China already fields the PL-17 and is developing even more advanced long-range missiles, often referred to as PL-XX or PL-21. These future systems are expected to incorporate dual-mode seekers combining active radar and infrared homing, further enhancing resistance to countermeasures.
For the PLAAF and the PLAN, the PL-17 aligns perfectly with China’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) doctrine. By threatening high-value airborne assets at extreme ranges, the missile could push adversary support aircraft farther from contested zones, reducing the effectiveness of their air operations.
The clearer image of the PL-17 does more than satisfy curiosity—it underscores a profound shift in air combat. As very long-range missiles become central to aerial warfare, control of the electromagnetic spectrum, sensor fusion, and network resilience may prove as decisive as the performance of fighter aircraft themselves.
