Is That a PL‑17 on a J‑16? Yes — and the Real Story Isn’t the Missile.

Much has been written,  or, more accurately, speculated  about the PLAAF’s PL‑17 extreme‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile. People argue about its range, its speed, its seeker, its datalink, its guidance logic, its cosmic aura, whatever. One thing we can actually confirm is simple: it’s huge. The missile is roughly six meters long, and every photo we’ve seen makes it look like someone zip‑tied a telephone pole under a J‑16.

But the interesting part of these zoomed‑in photos isn’t “wow, the PL‑17 mounts on a J‑16.” It’s the strike package around it. Modern air combat isn’t a single fighter launching a single missile in a single heroic duel. It’s an entire kill chain:   fighters, bombers, EW platforms, AEW&C, tankers, escorts, and standoff shooters all operating as one.  That’s how a South Asia air force shut down an entire air‑based “anti‑terror” operation. One can easily find a recent example is floating around online. No need to repeat it here.

This is the same pattern we saw in the PLAAF’s deployment to Egypt for Eagles of Civilization 2026, see blog post belwo: a full‑spectrum package of heavy fighters, tankers, AEW&C, EW aircraft, transports, and helicopters. Not a single aircraft type, not a single mission profile. In another word, a complete ecosystem.
So when there's a PL‑17 hanging under a J‑16, there's a bigger story at play here.

Look at the formation around it: heavy bombers, lightweight escorts, EW support, airborne early warning, tankers, and long‑range shooters all stitched together.

Meanwhile, there are still people out there obsessing over one fighter’s engine production rate or bragging about importing a warbird  from a wine‑producing country. The PLAAF is not one of them. Their focus is the system, not the celebrity aircraft. And the PL‑17 on a J‑16 is just one tile in that mosaic.

Again, thats just me.

 

 

Sunday, August 09, 2026

Official acknowledgment of the day: JL-1 ALBM on the H-6N

 So, we finally have it: official acknowledgment that the JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile is operational enough to be shown mounted on an H-6N. This is the first time Beijing has essentially confirmed — yes, it flies on the bomber built for it.

Cast your mind back to the September parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII. A whole buffet of new weapons rolled past the cameras, each prompting the usual internet debates. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, that's what the internet is for. I, for one, also have an opinion. Shocked, right?

But this one is huge different, and I'm not talking about the size of the missile.

The JL-1 is a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile, and its appearance on the H-6N is the clearest signal yet that the PLA has closed the last gap in its nuclear triad. Land, sea, air — all three legs now have a credible standoff option.

CCTV is now reporting the JL-1 mounted on a H-6N Bomber. That's a big, not subtle. Even more interesting: the footage shows the single H-6N escorted by two J-20s — a visual hint at how the PLA imagines this system being protected en route to its launch point.

For context:

• Shanghai → Los Angeles: ~10,400 km
• J-20A ferry range: ~4,000–5,000 km
• JL-1 ALBM range: ~8,000 km with H-6N, the missile itself ~ 3500 km

Anyone can do the math. Anyone tracking Chinese strategic reach already has.

Now, the usual caution: even with official confirmation, we still don't have the full picture. Range figures (which could vary significantly under real operational conditions), payload assumptions (plenty of those floating around from people who write as if they work inside the CMC building in Beijing), and operational doctrine all need more data. I'll leave it to the professionals to sort out what the numbers actually mean once they've finished poking at the footage and the phrasing.

But as far as public signals go? This is a big one.

 

 

Thursday, June 05, 2025

Photos Of The Day: A possible air refuelable PLAAF strike package

YY-20 + J-15 + J-20 + H-6N

 

 

Friday, January 03, 2025

Power Projection PR Of The Day: H-6N "President Xi's soft-power on display," Mid Air Refueling

PLA watchers have had a busy two months, with stealth fighters, new assault ships, and a new Y-20-based KJ3000 AWAC.  However, one aspect is being overlooked: the "fully operational" status of the new H-6N air-launched ballistic missile carrier. With mid air refueling, those punch packing ALBM could reach-out-to-the-second-island-chain and touch someone.

Fear not; judging by several literature on the H-6N, professionals are paying attention to this important advancement. 

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Photo of the day: PL-17 Beyond-visual-range missile mounted on J-11BG

Ha — PL‑15 is practically vintage at this point, so 2025. The new PL‑17 BVRAAM, the follow‑on to the PL‑15 that grabbed international headlines on May 7th, 2025, is now moving into the integration phase. And it’s not just for the shiny new J‑16s and J‑20s, the PLA is already retrofitting it onto older airframes like the J‑11, which says a lot about how central this missile is becoming to their long‑range air‑combat doctrine.

 

 

"Fly Like An Egyptian"

 The PLAAF deployed a full-spectrum, integrated air package: heavy fighters, tankers, AEW&C, EW aircraft, transports, and helicopters — a major upgrade from the 2025 drill, which only featured J‑10C fighters and support aircraft. 

 

 

J-16 fighters debut in China-Egypt joint drills in Africa, showcasing strong overseas deployment capability: expert
By Li Yu Published: Aug 21, 2026 09:37 PM 

(link) 

Multiple types of aircraft and personnel from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force participating in the China-Egypt Eagles of Civilization 2026 joint training arrived at an air base in Egypt early Friday morning after an intercontinental deployment, according to an official release from the PLA Air Force. 

Notably, the exercise marks the first time China's J-16 heavy fighter jets have traveled to Africa for the China-Egypt joint training.

The joint training marks the second such exercise between the two air forces. The PLA Air Force has deployed multiple types of aircraft in an integrated and systematic formation, including fighter jets, aerial refueling aircraft, special-mission aircraft and helicopters, according to the PLA Air Force.

A video attached to the PLA Air Force release, filmed through the window of a YY-20A aerial refueling aircraft, showed a Chinese J-16 fighter jet being refueled in mid-air. Another scene showed that the YY-20A hosted in-flight refueling for two J-16s at the same time. According to the release, the aerial refueling took place en route to Egypt.

The growing types of more capable aircraft deployed in the China-Egypt joint training highlighted the PLA Air Force's capabilities to carry out rapid intercontinental strategic deployments of tactical aircraft, also demonstrating its strong overseas strategic deployment capabilities, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Friday.

Song said that the J-16 heavy fighter jets' first participation in the China-Egypt joint air force training marks an upgrade from last year's deployment of medium-sized J-10Cs in the drill, reflecting broader and more advanced overseas training by the Chinese Air Force. 

As a mainstay heavy fighter, the J-16 also gains valuable experience operating in unfamiliar environments, while also reflecting efforts to expose more frontline aircraft to different geographical, climatic and operational conditions through overseas joint training, the expert noted.

Unlike the J-10C, which focuses more on air superiority, the J-16 is more capable in terms of striking ground and maritime targets and carrying a heavier weapons load. Its participation could therefore expand the training to more complex multirole combat scenarios, Song said.

The PLA Air Force formation traveled more than 6,000 kilometers across two continents and four countries during a nearly nine-hour flight to Egypt. Upon arrival, personnel quickly unloaded supplies, organized equipment and carried out coordination work to prepare for training flights, according to the PLA Air Force.

The cross-border integrated deployment and rapid loading and unloading operations tested the PLA Air Force's long-range projection, agile deployment and system-of-systems operational capabilities, the release said.

A member of the PLA Air Force said that during the deployment, the aerial refueling aircraft not only carried out mid-air refueling missions but also served as an airborne command node.

The Chinese Air Force's participation in joint training in Egypt for two consecutive years with a system of forces showed that long-range overseas training is moving from capability validation toward greater maturity and normalization, Song said. 

This also reflects China's progress in building a strategic air force and extending its ability to safeguard its overseas interests, while showcasing the military confidence of China as a responsible major country, Song noted. 

The Chinese and Egyptian air forces will hold Eagles of Civilization 2026 joint training in Egypt from mid-August to early September. The training will focus on subjects including air combat tactics, air superiority operations, and combat search and rescue, and will include force employment drills, the Chinese defense ministry said.

Recently, the PLA Air Force has participated in a series of joint exercises and training activities. In August, the Air Force has announced joint training with four countries - Belarus, Thailand, Egypt and the UAE.

Following the completion of China-Thailand Falcon Strike 2026 joint air force training on Thursday, the PLA Air Force is set to kick off the "Falcon Shield 2026" joint training with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hotan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to the Chinese defense ministry. 

Meanwhile, the PLA Air Force announced on Thursday that the China-Belarus Swift Eagle 2026 airborne joint training, which opened at a PLA Air Force training center on August 12, entered its comprehensive exercise phase on Wednesday. 

 

 

Saturday, May 03, 2025

Communist Propaganda Of The Day: Egyptian pyramids fly over version 2

 

China-Egypt Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air force training deepens cooperation between two militaries: Defense Spokesperson

Source
    China Military Online
Editor
    Lin Congyi

Time
    2025-04-24 17:38:38
 
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16382658.html

BEIJING, April 24 -- "This will help enhance technical and tactical capabilities of the two air forces and deepen substantive cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

The spokesperson made the above remarks when being asked to introduce the tactical and strategic outcomes of the on-going China-Egypt Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air force training.

The spokesperson said that Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air force training is the first joint training between the Chinese and Egyptian armed forces. The two sides deployed fighter jets, AEW&Cs, tankers and helicopters to the event. Drills on air combat and air refueling began on April 19, and subjects of air support and battlefield search and rescue will also be covered.

"The joint training will run until early May. The Chinese PLAAF aircraft will train in collaboration with assets of the Egyptian Air Force. This will help enhance technical and tactical capabilities of the two air forces and deepen substantive cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries," added the spokesperson. 

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Communist Propaganda Of The Day: J-10 and Y-20 flying over the Egyptian pyramids for the first time

Note to the Chinese government: while we appreciate below is a PR release, but calling the J-10 a "stealth fighter" is still a bit excessive. 

 

 https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202408/29/content_WS66cfd64fc6d0868f4e8ea50c.html

J-10 stealth fighter jets from the Bayi Aerobatic Team fly over the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, Aug. 28, 2024. The flight formation is in Egypt for an air show, scheduled from Sept. 3 to 5. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Also  46th Chinese naval escort taskforce visits Egypt

CAIRO, Aug. 19 -- The guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo (Hull 163) and the comprehensive supply ship Honghu (Hull 906) attached to the 46th Chinese naval escort taskforce arrived at the Port of Alexandria, Egypt on August 15 for a five-day goodwill visit.

During the visit, the taskforce will hold a desk reception, and members of the two navies will carry out cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, friendly football matches and other activities.

 

 

 

Just Photos: Y-15/30 next-generation medium tactical transport aircraft flying overhead

 

Friday, May 15, 2026

Photo of the day: New Y-15 military transport aircraft spotted with mid air refueling probe

 

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Random Muse Of The Day: The new Y-15 military transport aircraft program

 
The pace of the Y‑20 program—its rapid development cycle and the steady stream of new aircraft entering service—makes it clear that the PLA places far greater priority on this four‑engine “fat bird” than on the Y‑9, despite the Y‑20’s higher cost and heavier maintenance burden. The contrast is hard to miss: China’s strategic jet engined‑transport fleet is expanding quickly, while the tactical turboprop fleet grows at a far more measured rate. The activity around the PLAAF’s 13th and 4th Transport Aviation Divisions, both home to Y‑20 units, reinforces this trend.

This emphasis fits neatly with the PLAAF’s evolving strategic air‑transport doctrine. We’ve seen it demonstrated in MOOTW deployments and in the rapid reinforcement of remote regions such as Tibet. From my perspective, China’s extensive high‑speed rail and modern highway networks reduce the urgency of maintaining a large tactical airlift force. That may help explain why meaningful Y‑9 airdrop activity is rarely observed outside of occasional publicity clips, while Y‑20s are constantly on the move across China and even making appearances in friendly countries. Several posts here at this blog have already documented some of those Y‑20 trips.

Which brings us to the Y‑15 program. I’d argue that the Y‑9’s real success has been less about its performance as a traditional tactical transport and more about its evolution into a versatile platform for specialized “high‑noon” missions across multiple services. The Y‑15 appears to be following that same pattern for the PLAAF’s turboprop transport line. Its value may not lie in raw transport endurance but in its potential as a next‑generation specialized platform. something hinted at by the adding of a mid‑air refueling probe, a capability the older Y‑9 lacks.