{{Short description|Chinese long-range air-to-air missile}} {{For|the handgun with the same name|Lebedev pistol}} {{update|date=May 2025|reason=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}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox weapon | is_missile = yes | name = PL-15 / PL-15E | image = File:PL-15 20250921.jpg | caption = PL-15 missile | image_size = 300 | origin = People's Republic of China | type = Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile | used_by = | manufacturer = China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA) | unit_cost = | propellant = | production_date = | service = 2016–present | engine = Dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket<ref name="AIN">{{cite web|last=Chen|first=Chuanren|date=20 July 2017|title=New Chinese Weapons Seen On J-10C Fighter|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-07-20/new-chinese-weapons-seen-j-10c-fighter|website=Aviation International News|access-date=2019-08-25|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110204219/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-07-20/new-chinese-weapons-seen-j-10c-fighter|url-status=live}}</ref> | mass = {{convert|200|-|230|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} (PL-15){{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|p=41}}<br />≤{{convert|210|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} (PL-15E) | length = {{convert|399.6|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} <small>(PL-15E)</small> | height = | diameter = {{convert|20.3|cm|in|abbr=on}} <small>(PL-15E)</small> | wingspan = | speed = Mach 5+<ref name="iiss_assessment2024_ch6"/> | vehicle_range = {{cvt|180|-|300|km|mi}} (PL-15) {{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}}<ref name="AIN" />{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}}<br />{{cvt|145|km|mi}} (PL-15E) | ceiling = | altitude = | filling = | guidance = Active radar homing | detonation = | launch_platform = J-20, J-35, J-10C, J-15T, J-16, J-11BG, JF-17 Block-3 }} The '''PL-15''' ({{lang-zh|s=霹雳-15|p=Pī Lì-Yāo Wǔ|l=Thunderbolt-15}}, NATO reporting name: '''CH-AA-10 Abaddon'''<ref name="plaaf_modern">{{cite web |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2023/02/chinas-air-force-modernisation-gaining-pace |title=China's air force modernisation: gaining pace |website=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=21 February 2023 |first=Douglas |last=Barrie |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329110354/https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2023/02/chinas-air-force-modernisation-gaining-pace |url-status=live }}</ref>) is a long-range active radar homing air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China, in service of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Naval Air Force (PLANAF). The export version, PL-15E, is also used by the Pakistan Air Force. It is the primary beyond-visual-range missile for aerial combat used by PLA fighter aircraft, and its short-range counterpart is the PL-10.
The PL-15 can reach speeds of up to {{cvt|5|Mach|lk=on}} and has a maximum range of {{cvt|200-300|km}}, though the PL-15E export version that is sold to Pakistan is reported to have a reduced range of about {{cvt|145|km}}.<ref name="specsandusepk">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Explainer {{!}} How did China's J-10C match up to French Rafale in India-Pakistan aerial clash? |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310004/how-did-chinas-j-10c-match-french-rafale-india-pakistan-aerial-clash?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
==Development== [[File:J-20 fighter (44040541250) (cropped).jpg|thumb|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).<ref name="iiss_240120">{{cite web |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2024/01/air-to-air-missiles-push-the-performance-payload-envelope/ |title=Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope |date=20 January 2024 |website=International Institute for Strategic Studies |first=Douglas |last=Barrie |access-date=19 August 2024 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127050453/https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2024/01/air-to-air-missiles-push-the-performance-payload-envelope/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The missile was test-fired in 2011 and referenced by Chinese state media in 2015.{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}} It was spotted in 2013 mounted on a prototype of Chengdu J-20.<ref name="TheDrive" />
[[File:PL15E air-to-air missile.jpg|thumb|PL-15E mockup at Zhuhai Airshow 2024]] The PL-15E, the export variant, was presented at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow. The PL-15E's shorter range compared to the PL-15 is possibly due to changes in propellant or rocket motor.<ref name="TheDrive">{{cite web|last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=1 September 2022 |title=A Guide To China's Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/a-guide-to-chinas-increasingly-impressive-air-to-air-missile-inventory |website=The Drive |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> This is similar to the situation between SD-10 and its domestic counterpart the PL-12.<ref name="TheDrive" />
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.<ref name="iiss_200424">{{cite web |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis//military-balance/2020/04/air-launched-missiles-china-plaaf-j-20-fighter |title=Air-launched missiles: a low-observable numbers game |website=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=24 April 2020 |first=Douglas |last=Barrie |access-date=19 August 2024 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427171808/https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis//military-balance/2020/04/air-launched-missiles-china-plaaf-j-20-fighter |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="iiss_240120" /> At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the export variant PL-15E was shown to have folding rear fins, allowing China to squeeze more missiles into the weapons bay of its stealth Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35 aircraft.<ref name="twz_241111">{{cite web |url=https://www.twz.com/air/new-version-of-chinese-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-tailored-for-stealth-fighters-revealed |title=New Version Of Chinese PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Tailored For Stealth Fighters Revealed |website=The War Zone |date=11 November 2024 |first=Thomas |last=Newdick |access-date=11 November 2024 |archive-date=18 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118203705/https://www.twz.com/air/new-version-of-chinese-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-tailored-for-stealth-fighters-revealed |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/pl-15e-at-zhuhai-suggests-china-squeezing-more-missiles-into-stealth-jets/160770.article |title=PL-15E at Zhuhai suggests China squeezing more missiles into stealth jets |website=FlightGlobal |date=15 November 2024 |first=Greg |last=Waldron |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115100659/https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/pl-15e-at-zhuhai-suggests-china-squeezing-more-missiles-into-stealth-jets/160770.article |archive-date=15 November 2024 }}</ref>
US intelligence has alleged that the range of the missile was upgraded using technology provided by the UAE-based AI firm G42 to Huawei.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sevastopulo |first=Demetri |date=2025-10-25 |title=China upgraded missiles using UAE technology, Biden spies said |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a1882789-d283-4bf9-a3df-19b1b7ce9799 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE allegedly gave China the key PL-15 missile tech that Pakistan used against India |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/middle-east/2025/10/26/uae-allegedly-gave-china-the-key-pl-15-missile-tech-that-pakistan-used-against-india.html |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>
==Operational history== === China === The PL-15 entered People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military service around 2015<ref>{{cite web |last=Barrie |first=Douglas |date=21 February 2018 |title=It's Not Your Father's PLAAF: China's Push to Develop Domestic Air-to-Air Missiles |url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/02/not-fathers-plaaf-chinas-push-develop-domestic-air-air-missiles/ |website=War on the Rocks |access-date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018064606/https://warontherocks.com/2018/02/not-fathers-plaaf-chinas-push-develop-domestic-air-air-missiles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> to 2017.{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}} 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.<ref name="TheDrive" /> 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.{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}}<ref name="TheDrive" />{{update inline|date=May 2025|reason=it is the primary missile but needs a more recent source to be included in wp}}
=== Pakistan === On 7 May 2025, the PL- 15/15E was deployed in combat during the 2025 India–Pakistan strikes by Pakistan Air Force (PAF),<ref name="twz_firstcombatuse">{{cite news|url=https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time|title=China's PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time|date=May 7, 2025|first=Thomas |last=Newdick|work=The War Zone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507194627/https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time|archive-date=May 7, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> marking what analysts believe to be the missile's first combat deployment.<ref name="twz_firstcombatuse"/>
Pakistan authorities claimed that PAF used Chengdu J-10C and PL-15/15E missiles to shoot down a number of Indian aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Shows Evidence of Indian Su-30MKI and Rafale Takedown in Dogfight {{!}} Defense Express |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/events/pakistan_shows_evidence_of_indian_su_30mki_and_rafale_takedown_in_dogfight-14463.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=en.defence-ua.com |language=en}}</ref>
thumb|PL-15E debris recovered by India Photos of several PL-15E missile debris found inside Indian territory surfaced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310004/how-did-chinas-j-10c-match-french-rafale-india-pakistan-aerial-clash|title=How did China's J-10C match up to French Rafale in India-Pakistan aerial clash? |website=South China Morning Post|date=12 May 2025 |language=en|first=Liu |last=Zhen }}</ref> A relatively intact rear section was found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.<ref name="twz_250510">{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/parts-of-a-pakistani-pl-15e-air-to-air-missile-came-down-relatively-intact-in-india-after-air-battle |first=Joseph |last=Trevithick |website=The War Zone |title=Chinese-Made PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Components Came Down Intact Inside India |date=9 May 2025 |access-date=10 May 2025 |archive-date=10 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510112445/https://www.twz.com/air/parts-of-a-pakistani-pl-15e-air-to-air-missile-came-down-relatively-intact-in-india-after-air-battle|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 May 2025, the Indian authorities also confirmed the usage of PL-15/15E by Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lateef |first=Samaan |date=13 May 2025 |title=India confirms Chinese missiles used by Pakistan in strikes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/13/india-says-chinese-missiles-used-by-pakistan-in-strikes/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
Many circumstances could lead to the loss of missiles in relatively intact states.<ref name="twz_250510" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/pakistans-use-of-j-10c-jets-and-missiles-exposes-potency-of-chinese-arms |title=Pakistan's use of J-10C jets and missiles exposes potency of Chinese weaponry |website=The Guardian |date=14 May 2025 |first1=Helen |last1=Davidson |first2=Amy |last2=Hawkins }}</ref> Analysis of the debris could offer technical insights into PL-15E's capabilities and limitations.<ref name="twz_250510"/>
==Design== === Propulsion === The PL-15 uses a dual-pulsed solid-fuel rocket motor{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|p=41}}{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}} capable of a burnout speed greater than Mach 5<ref name="speed">{{cite web |last=Barrie |first=Douglas |date=9 September 2022 |title=Air-to-air warfare: speed kills |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/09/analysis-air-to-air-warfare-speed-kills |website=Military Balance Blog |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |access-date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913105103/https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/09/analysis-air-to-air-warfare-speed-kills |url-status=live }}</ref> and a range of more than {{convert|200|km|mi}}. During its terminal phase, the second pulse of its motor ignites, providing additional energy and speed to increase kill probability at long distances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2022-09-01 |title=A Guide To China's Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/a-guide-to-chinas-increasingly-impressive-air-to-air-missile-inventory |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Drive |language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}} If launched at supersonic speed, the missile can maintain velocities above Mach 5 for much of its flight.<ref name="iiss_assessment2024_ch6"/>
=== Airframe === The missile has a length of about {{convert|4|metres}}{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}} with a diameter of about {{convert|200|mm}}.{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|p=39}} It features cropped control fins (compared to the PL-12) designed for internal carriage by stealth aircraft.<ref name="TheDrive" />
=== Guidance === The missile is guided by a miniature active electronically scanned array radar seeker,<ref>{{cite web|last=Champion|first=Marc|date=7 May 2018|title=Chinese Missiles Are Transforming Balance of Power in the Skies|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-07/chinese-missiles-are-transforming-balance-of-power-in-the-skies|website=Bloomberg|access-date=2022-11-06|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127053649/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-07/chinese-missiles-are-transforming-balance-of-power-in-the-skies|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="iiss_assessment2024_ch6" /><ref name="TheDrive" /> The hybrid guidance system supports a mid-course two-way datalink led by AEW&C aircraft and autonomous terminal radar homing.{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}}
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Pakistan's First Combat Use of Chinese PL-15E Missiles |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2025/05/19/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-missiles/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA}}</ref> The package also included additional logistical and support services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=The Asia Live News |date=2025-05-07 |title=PL-15E Missile Transfer to Pakistan Sparks Strategic Concerns in South Asia |url=https://theasialive.com/pl-15e-missile-transfer-to-pakistan-sparks-strategic-concerns-in-south-asia/2025/05/07/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=The Asia Live |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Variants== ;PL-15: PLAAF domestic version with an estimated range of {{cvt|200|-|300|km}}.{{sfn|Wood|Yang|Cliff|2020|pp=38–39}}{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}}<ref name="AIN" /> ;PL-15E: Export version of PL-15 with a reduced maximum launch range of 145 km<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=China's most advanced air-to-air missile destined for export market |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3150623/new-version-chinas-most-advanced-air-air-missile-pl-15-destined |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301163228/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3150623/new-version-chinas-most-advanced-air-air-missile-pl-15-destined |url-status=live }}</ref> ;PL-15 with folding fins: PL-15 with folded tail fins that likely allow J-20 and J-35 internal weapons bays to carry six missiles.<ref name="twz_241111"/> ;PL-16 (CH-AA-X-13)<ref name="iiss_assessment2024_ch6">{{cite report |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/asia-pacific-regional-security-assessment-2024/chapter-6/ |title=Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2024 |date=May 2024 |publisher=The International Institute for Strategic Studies |chapter=6: Waiting in the Wings: The Asia-Pacific Air-to-Air Challenge |archive-date=2 October 2024 |access-date=4 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002194412/https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/asia-pacific-regional-security-assessment-2024/chapter-6/ |url-status=live }}</ref>: 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.<ref name="iiss_240120" /> ;{{vanchor|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/china/2018-11-11/doc-ihmutuea9075218.shtml |title=中国天龙30导弹首次曝光 射程力压欧美同型产品(图) |website=Sina News |date= 11 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/276301180_100078044 |title=中国兵器推出天龙30中程防空导弹系统 采用两种模块化导引头 |website=Sohu News |date=18 November 2018 }}</ref> ;LD-8A: Anti-radiation missile derived from the PL-15, with a specialized anti-radar seeker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/19/china-j-16d-ew-jet-pl-15-aam/ |title=China’s J-16D EW Jet Seen Flying with PL-15 Missiles Possibly for the First Time |website=The Aviationist |date=27 December 2025 |first=Parth |last=Satam }}</ref>
==Operators== ; {{PRC}} * People's Liberation Army Air Force: PL-15 * People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force: PL-15 ; {{PAK}} * Pakistan Air Force: PL-15/PL-15E<ref name="specsandusepk" />
==See also== {{aircontent |see also= *PL-10 *PL-12 *PL-17 *PL-21 |related= *PL-16}}
=== Missiles of similar role, configuration, and era === *{{lwc|AIM-174B}} *{{lwc|AIM-260 JATM}} *{{lwc|Meteor (missile)|Meteor}}
==References== {{reflist}} ;Bibliography {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book |last1=Wood |first1=Peter |last2=Yang |first2=David |last3=Cliff |first3=Roger |date=November 2020 |title=Air-to-Air Missiles: Capabilities and Development in China |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/Infrastructure/2020-11-%2030%20Air-to-Air%20Missiles%20and%20Guidance%20Systems.pdf |location=Montgomery, Alabama |publisher=China Aerospace Studies Institute |isbn=9798574996270 |archive-date=27 October 2024 |access-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241027110248/https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/Infrastructure/2020-11-%2030%20Air-to-Air%20Missiles%20and%20Guidance%20Systems.pdf |url-status=live }} *{{cite report |last=Bronk |first=Justin |date=October 2020 |title=Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook |url=https://static.rusi.org/russian_and_chinese_combat_air_trends_whr_final_web_version.pdf |series=Whitehall Report |volume=3-20 |location=London |publisher=Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies |issn=1750-9432 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308161533/https://static.rusi.org/russian_and_chinese_combat_air_trends_whr_final_web_version.pdf |url-status=live }} {{Refend}}
{{Chinese missiles|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pl-15}} Category:Air-to-air missiles of China Category:Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s Category:Weapons of China