China's newest air-to-air missile, the PL-16, could rival the US military's equivalent advance, giving the People's Liberation Army an edge in Asia-Pacific conflicts. The PL-16 boasts a long total flight distance estimated at 200 to 300 kilometers and dual-pulse or variable-thrust rocket motor technology.
The PL-16 is designed to hit airborne early warning and control platforms, refueling tankers, and reconnaissance aircraft, with a high likelihood of a kill even at long range. The US military maintains bases in nearby Guam, Hawaii, and Japan in case of an Indo-Pacific conflict.
The development of the PL-16 is seen as a response to the US's Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, with analysts noting that the key challenge is how quickly the US can get the JATM into production, as the Chinese will be moving fast with PL-16 production. The PL-16's specs would let it chase large, slower-moving aircraft, potentially changing the battle dynamics.
