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PL-15

Chinese long-range air-to-air missile From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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For the handgun with the same name, see Lebedev pistol.

The PL-15 (Chinese: 霹雳-15; pinyin: Pī Lì-Yāo Wǔ; lit. 'Thunderbolt-15', NATO reporting name: CH-AA-10 Abaddon[6]) is an active radar-guided long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China, used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Naval Air Force (PLANAF), and the Pakistan Air Force.

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It can reach speeds of up to Mach 5 and has a maximum range of 200-300 km, though the PL-15E export version that is sold to Pakistan is reported to have a reduced range of about 145 km.[7]

It is the primary beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile carried by PLA fixed-wing combat aircraft. Its within-visual-range counterpart is the PL-10.

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Development

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A Chengdu J-20 with four PL-15 inside the weapons bay

The PL-15 is developed by Luoyang-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 of Chengdu J-20.[9]

The PL-15E, the export variant, was presented at the 2021 Zhuhai 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 the PL-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-performance dual-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 the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35.[11][12]

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Operational history

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China

The PL-15 entered People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military service around 2015[13] to 2017.[3] The carrying platforms include the Chengdu J-10C, the Shenyang J-16 and the Chengdu J-20. It has also been spotted on the Shenyang J-11B.[9] The PL-15 has begun to replace the earlier PL-12 as the standard beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) for both PLAAF and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) fighters.[4][9][needs update]

Pakistan

On 7 May 2025, the PL- 15/15E was deployed in combat during the 2025 India–Pakistan strikes by Pakistan Air Force (PAF),[14] marking what analysts believe to be the missile's first combat deployment.[14]

According to the Pakistan authorities, PAF used Chengdu J-10C and PL-15/15E missiles to shoot down Indian aircraft.[15]

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PL-15E debris recovered by India

Photos of several PL-15E missile debris found inside Indian territory surfaced.[16] A relatively intact rear section was found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.[17] On 13 May 2025, the Indian authorities also confirmed the usage of PL-15/15E by Pakistan.[18]

Many circumstances could lead to the loss of missiles in relatively intact states.[17] 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.[19] The recovery of the debris could offer technical insights into PL-15E's capabilities and limitations.[17]

A reconstruction published by The Diplomat described that Pakistani J-10Cs armed with PL-15E missiles executed an "air ambush" from within their airspace, with missiles guided by airborne 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 the Indian Air Force's (IAF) detection capabilities. The IAF'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.[20]

An investigation conducted by Reuters found that the Indian intelligence underestimated the range of PL-15E. Pakistani officials claimed the PL-15 that hit the Rafale 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 strikes on record.[21]

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Design

Propulsion

The PL-15 uses a dual-pulsed solid-fuel rocket motor[1][3] capable of a burnout speed greater than Mach 5[22] 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.[23][4] If launched at supersonic speed, the missile can maintain velocities above Mach 5 for much of its flight.[5]

Airframe

The missile has a length of about 4 metres (13 ft)[4] with a diameter of about 200 millimetres (7.9 in).[24] It features cropped control fins (compared to the PL-12) designed for internal carriage by stealth aircraft.[9]

Guidance

The missile is guided by a miniature active electronically scanned array radar seeker,[25] 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 by AEW&C aircraft and autonomous terminal radar homing.[3]

Foreign sales

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.[26] Pakistan secured a $1.4 billion loan to fund the purchase of this package, including additional logistical and support services.[27]

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Variants

PL-15
PLAAF domestic version with an estimated range of 200–300 km (120–190 mi).[3][4][2]
PL-15E
Export version of PL-15 with a reduced maximum launch range of 145 km[28]
PL-15E with folding fins
PL-15E with folded tail fins that likely allow J-20 and J-35 internal weapons bays to carry six missiles.[11]
PL-16 (CH-AA-X-13)[5]
A further development of PL-15 that allows J-20's internal weapons bay to carry six missiles simultaneously (whereas PL-15 is quad-packed). The PL-16 missile, while smaller in dimension, features a compressed airframe, folded fins, and a high-performance dual-pulse motor to deliver equal or better performance compared to the regular PL-15.[8]
Sky Dragon 30 (SD-30)
Surface-to-air missile based on the PL-15. The missile features a fuselage similar to that of PL-15, with a modular seeker head that can be switched from the PL-15's active radar seeker or the PL-10's imaging infrared (IIR) seeker.[29][30]
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Operators

 People's Republic of China
 Pakistan

See also

Related development

Missiles of similar role, configuration, and era

References

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