China's PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile appears in first close-up view.

A close-up image of China’s PL-17 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile appeared publicly for the first time on January 27, 2026.

As reported by Rupprecht Deino on January 27, 2026, a close-range image of the Chinese PL-17 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) publicly appeared for the first time. The image provides the first detailed view of a missile that has been operational for several years but previously documented only in distant photographs.
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The PL-17 has been in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force since at least 2023, and estimates place its range at over 400 km, situating it well beyond the reach of most conventional beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. (Picture source: Weibo/@WQ心在遥远64049259WQ)

Even though this image does not indicate where, when, or by whom the PL-17 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, or a full-scale mock-up of it, was displayed, this close-up image provide a level of visual detail that had not been available before. Until this point, the missile had only been seen in distant images carried under fighter aircraft, which confirmed its existence and scale but limited detailed assessment. The close-up view makes it possible to better appreciate the missile’s proportions and external layout, reinforcing earlier estimates regarding its size. This appearance does not indicate a change in status, as the missile is already in service, but it marks an important step in the visibility of a Chinese missile that has remained relatively opaque despite years of discussion.

The development of the PL-17 can be traced back at least ten years ago, in 2016, when a very large air-to-air missile was first observed during testing on a Shenyang J-16 fighter. At that time, the weapon was informally referred to outside China as PL-XX, reflecting uncertainty about its designation and role. Later references suggested the name PL-20, but PL-17 has since become the established designation, along with the NATO reporting name CH-AA-12 Auger. In October 2022, Chinese state media indicated that the missile had entered service, and by 2023, official imagery showing J-16 formations carrying the weapon supported the conclusion that it was operational. Since then, no close-range imagery has been made public, maintaining a degree of ambiguity about its detailed configuration.

Complementing short-range missiles such as the PL-10, the PL-17 is estimated to be approximately 6 meters long, with some assessments placing its length slightly above 5.7 meters. This makes it significantly larger than missiles such as the PL-15 or AIM-120, which are typically around 4 meters in length. The increased size allows for a larger solid fuel load, which directly improves its potential engagement range. Estimates generally place the PL-17’s effective range between 300 and 500 km, while the world's oldest defence and security think tank, the Royal United Services Institute, cites a range of 400 km under favorable launch and targeting conditions. The missile is reported to reach speeds above Mach 4, achieved through a dual-pulse solid rocket motor combined with a lofted flight profile. These characteristics position it among the longest-range air-to-air missiles currently known to be in operational service

The missile’s size has clear implications for aircraft integration and employment. Its length prevents internal carriage on stealth fighters such as the J-35, which is designed around internal weapon bays optimized for shorter air-to-air missiles. Therefore, requiring external mounting that increases aerodynamic drag and radar signature, the PL-17 has been seen mounted on fighter jets such as the J-10C and the J-16, which have the payload capacity and hardpoints necessary to carry such a large weapon. Assessments also indicate compatibility with other heavy fighters operated by China, including the Su-30MKK and Su-35. There has been speculation about external carriage on the J-20, but no confirmed imagery has shown this configuration to date. Looking ahead, the J-36 is expected to feature a sufficiently wide internal weapon bay to accommodate beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles like the PL-17. As a result, the PL-17 is closely tied to larger fighter jets because of payload and integration constraints.

In terms of guidance and flight profile, the PL-17 is assessed to rely on inertial navigation supported by satellite updates and a two-way data link during the midcourse phase. This allows the missile to receive targeting updates after launch, which is essential for engagements at distances of several hundred kilometers. During the terminal phase, it is believed to activate a multimodal seeker combining active radar guidance with passive sensing elements. Such a configuration would allow it to home in on targets with large radar signatures or active emissions while retaining resilience against countermeasures. Flight control is provided by relatively small control fins and thrust-vectoring, consistent with a design optimized for high-speed, long-range interception rather than close-range maneuver combat. The missile’s lofted trajectory is intended to maximize range and energy retention before the terminal dive toward the target.

Operationally, the PL-17 is widely understood to be intended primarily for engaging high-value airborne assets rather than fighter jets in conventional air combat, even though the latter are probably also among its targets. Likely targets include airborne early warning aircraft, refueling tankers, and other support platforms operating far behind the front line. Effective use at maximum range would depend heavily on offboard targeting data provided by airborne early warning aircraft, other fighters, ground-based sensors, or potentially space-based systems, rather than relying solely on the launching aircraft’s radar. In this role, the PL-17 occupies a niche similar to that of Russia’s R-37M, while exceeding most Western air-to-air missiles in estimated reach.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.