The first close-up image of the Chinese PL-17 long-range missile – one of the most mysterious weapons in the PLA Air Force’s arsenal – appears to have surfaced online.
Analysts say the PL-17 may be the world’s longest-range air-to-air missile, posing a threat to US air superiority in the western Pacific.
A photo believed to show the PL-17 has recently been making the rounds on Chinese social media. The date and location of the photo are unclear, although the angle of view is extremely close. The South China Morning Post could not independently verify the authenticity of the image.
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It shows a PL-17 missile or a mock-up displayed on a stand at an exhibition in China. A man poses in front, his face digitally obscured, while behind the missile is a display board promoting the J-20 stealth fighter.
Most analysts believe the photo depicts a full-size PL-17 model.
The PL series is a designation for air-to-air missiles developed for the People’s Liberation Army. Those in service include the short-range PL-10, the medium-range PL-11 and PL-12, and the beyond-visual-range PL-15.
