PL-15

File:J-20 fighter (44040541250) (cropped).jpg with four PL-15 inside the weapons bay]]

The PL-15 is developed by Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA).{{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 }} 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.

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.{{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}} This is similar to the situation between SD-10 and its domestic counterpart the PL-12.

There were constant rumors about a variant or derivative of the PL-15 designed for compressed carriage.{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/assessing-the-j-35a-the-chinese-air-forces-new-stealth-fighter/ |title=Assessing the J-35A: The Chinese Air Force's New Stealth Fighter |website=The Diplomat |date=30 November 2024 |first=Rick |last=Joe |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121234324/https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/assessing-the-j-35a-the-chinese-air-forces-new-stealth-fighter/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{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 }} 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. 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.{{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 }}{{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 }} The PL-16 and PL-15E with folding fins could supplement or replace the regular PL-15 in the future.

The PL-15 entered People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military service around 2015{{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 }} 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. 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}}{{update inline|date=May 2025|reason=it is the primary missile but needs a more recent source to be included in wp}}

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

According to the Pakistan authorities, PAF used Chengdu J-10C and PL-15E missiles to shoot down Indian aircraft.{{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}} Videos and photos of the downed aircraft were verified by BBC News, indicating one of the down aircraft was the Indian Air Force's Dassault Rafale.{{Cite web |title=TRT Global - BBC verifies India jet crash as Pakistan dominates dogfight, shocking global military watchers |url=https://trt.global/world/article/77ca5fc9b207 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=trt.global |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=India and Pakistan blame each other for escalating military tensions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwyneele13qt?post=asset:0da4237b-3fe0-452c-b2a8-6a8a376ff68a |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} An anonymous U.S. official told Reuters that there was "high confidence" that J-10 jets shot down at least two Indian aircraft, including a Rafale.{{Cite news |title=Exclusive: Pakistan's Chinese-made jet brought down two Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistans-chinese-made-jet-brought-down-two-indian-fighter-aircraft-us-officials-2025-05-08/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250513165427/https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistans-chinese-made-jet-brought-down-two-indian-fighter-aircraft-us-officials-2025-05-08/ |archive-date=2025-05-13 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}

File:Director General Air Operations (DGAO) Sh. A.K. Bharti briefing the media on ‘Operation Sindoor’ showing retreived PL-15 LR Air to Air missile.jpg

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

Many circumstances could lead to the loss of missiles in relatively intact states. The usage of PL-15E in the conflict offered military analysts opportunities to assess the combat effectiveness of newest Chinese weaponry and their strategic implications.{{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 }} The recovery of the debris could offer technical insights into PL-15E's capabilities and limitations.

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{{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 }} 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.{{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}}{{sfn|Bronk|2020|p=36}} If launched at supersonic speed, the missile can maintain velocities above Mach 5 for much of its flight.

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.

The missile is guided by a miniature active electronically scanned array radar seeker,{{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}} 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. 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}}

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 customer for PL-15E variant.{{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}} Pakistan secured a $1.4 billion loan to fund the purchase of this package, including additional logistical and support services.{{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}}

;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}}

;PL-15E: Export version of PL-15 with a reduced maximum launch range of 145 km{{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 }}

;PL-15E with folding fins: PL-15E with folded tail fins that likely allows J-20 and J-35 internal weapons bays to carry six missiles.

;PL-16 (CH-AA-X-13){{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 }}: 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.

; {{PRC}}

• People's Liberation Army Air Force: PL-15
• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force: PL-15

; {{PAK}}

• Pakistan Air Force: PL-15E

{{aircontent

|see also=

• PL-17
• PL-21
• PL-10

|related=

• PL-16

}}

• {{lwc|AIM-120 AMRAAM}}
• {{lwc|AIM-174B}}
• {{lwc|AIM-260 JATM}}
• {{lwc|Meteor (missile)|Meteor}}
• {{lwc|R-77|R-77M}}

{{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 the People's Republic of China

Category:Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s

Category:Weapons of the People's Republic of China