 | This article needs to beupdated. The reason given is:Many sources are from 2022 and earlier; the PLA has significantly increased deployment of the PL-15 and more information is now known about the missile. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(May 2025) |
| PL-15 | |
|---|---|
 PL-15E mockup atZhuhai Airshow 2024 | |
| Type | Beyond-visual-rangeair-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2016–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 200–230 kg (441–507 lb) (PL-15)[1] ≤210 kg (463 lb) (PL-15E) |
| Length | 399.6 cm (13 ft 1.3 in)(PL-15E) |
| Diameter | 20.3 cm (8.0 in)(PL-15E) |
| Engine | Dual-pulsedsolid-propellant rocket[2] |
Operational range | 180–200 km (110–120 mi) (PL-15)[3][2][4] 145 km (90 mi) (PL-15E) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5+[5] |
Guidance system | Active radar homing |
Launch platform | J-20,J-35,J-10C,J-15T,J-16,J-11BG,JF-17 Block-3 |
ThePL-15 (Chinese:霹雳-15;pinyin:Pī Lì-Yāo Wǔ;lit. 'Thunderbolt-15',NATO reporting name:CH-AA-10Abaddon[6]) is a long-rangeactive radar homingair-to-air missile developed by thePeople's Republic of China, in service of thePeople's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) andNaval Air Force (PLANAF). Theexport version, PL-15E, is also used by thePakistan Air Force. It is the primarybeyond-visual-range missile foraerial combat used by PLAfighter aircraft, and its short-range counterpart is thePL-10.
The PL-15 can reach speeds of up toMach 5 (6,100 km/h; 3,800 mph) and has a maximum range of 200–300 km (120–190 mi), though the PL-15E export version that is sold to Pakistan is reported to have a reduced range of about 145 km (90 mi).[7]
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The PL-15 is developed byLuoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA).[8] The missile was test fired in 2011 and referenced by Chinese state media in 2015.[3] It was spotted in 2013 mounted on a prototype ofChengdu J-20.[9]
The PL-15E, the export variant, was presented at the 2021Zhuhai Airshow. The PL-15E has less range than the PL-15, possibly due to changes in propellant or rocket motor.[9] This is similar to the situation between SD-10 and its domestic counterpart thePL-12.[9]
In 2020, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) reported the development of the PL-16 missile, a thinner version of the PL-15, to allow J-20 to carry six missiles inside its internal carriage.[10] In January 2024, the PL-16 missile was confirmed to have a smaller airframe design with folded fins and a high-performancedual-pulse motor to maintain a performance level similar to the regular PL-15.[8] At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the export variant PL-15E was shown to have folding rear fins, increasing the internal payload of theChengdu J-20 andShenyang J-35.[11][12]
US intelligence has alleged that the range of the missile was upgraded using technology provided by UAE basedAI firmG42 toHuawei.[13][14]
The PL-15 enteredPeople's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military service around 2015[15] to 2017.[3] The carrying platforms include theChengdu J-10C, theShenyang J-16 and the Chengdu J-20. It has also been spotted on theShenyang J-11B.[9] The PL-15 has begun to replace the earlierPL-12 as the standardbeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) for both PLAAF andPeople's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) fighters.[4][9][needs update]
On 7 May 2025, the PL- 15/15E was deployed in combat during the2025 India–Pakistan strikes byPakistan Air Force (PAF),[16] marking what analysts believe to be the missile's first combat deployment.[16]
According to the Pakistan authorities, PAF usedChengdu J-10C and PL-15/15E missiles to shoot down Indian aircraft.[17]
_Sh._A.K._Bharti_briefing_the_media_on_%25E2%2580%2598Operation_Sindoor%25E2%2580%2599_showing_retreived_PL-15_LR_Air_to_Air_missile.jpg)
Photos of several PL-15E missile debris found inside Indian territory surfaced.[18] A relatively intact rear section was found inHoshiarpur,Punjab, India.[19] On 13 May 2025, the Indian authorities also confirmed the usage of PL-15/15E by Pakistan.[20]
Many circumstances could lead to the loss of missiles in relatively intact states.[19] The usage of PL-15E in the conflict offered military analysts opportunities to assess the combat effectiveness of the newest Chinese weaponry and its strategic implications.[21] The recovery of the debris could offer technical insights into PL-15E's capabilities and limitations.[19]
A reconstruction published byThe Diplomat described that Pakistani J-10Cs armed with PL-15E missiles executed an "air ambush" from within their airspace, with missiles guided byairborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft via XS-3 tactical data links, instead of J-10C's onboard radar. This allowed radar-silent launches from a stand-off distance, reducing detection risk and exploiting limitations in theIndian Air Force's detection capabilities. TheIAF's review of Operation Sindoor concluded that superior tactical data links and integration of advanced Chinese systems gave Pakistan a key advantage in the early stages of the conflict.[22]
An investigation conducted byReuters found that the Indian intelligence underestimated the range of PL-15E. Pakistani officials claimed the PL-15 that shot down IndianDassault Rafale aircraft was launched from about 200 km (120 mi) away, with Indian officials claiming even farther distance—making it one of the longest-range air-to-air kills on record.[23]
The Indian Armed Forces recovered multiple PL-15e that had landed intact, and plan to use them as benchmarks for developing future upgrades for theAstra AAM used by theIAF.[24][25]
The PL-15 uses a dual-pulsed solid-fuel rocket motor[1][3] capable of a burnout speed greater than Mach 5[26] and a range of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi). During its terminal phase, the second pulse of its motor ignites, providing additional energy and speed to increase kill probability at long distances.[27][4] If launched at supersonic speed, the missile can maintain velocities above Mach 5 for much of its flight.[5]
The missile has a length of about 4 metres (13 ft)[4] with a diameter of about 200 millimetres (7.9 in).[28] It features cropped control fins (compared to the PL-12) designed for internal carriage bystealth aircraft.[9]
The missile is guided by a miniatureactive electronically scanned array radar seeker,[29] sporting both active and passive modes for the different mission set. It also features improved resistance to countermeasures and better performance against low-observable targets.[5][9] The hybrid guidance system supports a mid-course two-way datalink led byAEW&C aircraft and autonomous terminal radar homing.[3]
In 2021, Pakistan acquired the PL-15E air-to-air missile from China as part of a $1.5 billion defense deal. The agreement included 20 J-10CE fighter jets and approximately 240 PL-15E missiles, making Pakistan the first international buyer of the PL-15E variant.[30] Pakistan secured a $1.4 billion loan to fund the purchase of this package, including additional logistical and support services.[31]
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