China AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
PL-10
A Chinese short-range, high-off-boresight infrared air-to-air missile with an imaging-infrared seeker and thrust-vector control, comparable in role to the AIM-9X and ASRAAM. It is carried by the J-20, J-16 and J-10C for close-in dogfighting.
In service since 2015
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
20
km range
4
Mach
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2015. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 4 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 20 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Blast-fragmentation, laser proximity fuze |
|---|---|
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Imaging infrared homing, Helmet-mounted sight cueing, Thrust-vector control |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 3 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 90 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solid-fuel rocket |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10? +
The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 has a maximum range of 20 km.
How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 weigh? +
The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 has a combat weight of 90 kg.
What is the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 used for? +
The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 is a missile typically used for air superiority.
How much does the AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10 cost? +
AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) PL-10: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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