Missile PL-8

The PL-8 is a Chinese short-range air-to-air missile developed from the Israeli Python-3. Following the evaluation of the Python-3 during the Lebanon conflict, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) authorized licensed production in 1982 with the goal of complete localization. Code-named the "Number 8 Project," formal development commenced in 1983, and the missile entered service in 1986. Full technology transfer was completed by 1989, the same year the domestic version received state certification. The improved PL-8A entered service in 1993 and mass production in 1994. Development of the PL-8B, which uses entirely domestic components, was completed in 1989.

The missile features a dual-thrust solid rocket motor and wide off-boresight targeting capability. Guidance is provided by an infrared seeker. The PL-8B variant incorporates an upgraded motor and an infrared counter-countermeasures seeker. The missile is compatible with helmet-mounted sight systems, enabling high-off-boresight targeting. Earlier production models could not slave their seekers to domestic Chinese radars and were limited to Western radars, such as the GEC-Marconi Skyranger and FIAR Grifo on the J-7. Subsequent upgrades enabled compatibility with Chinese and Russian radars. A surface-to-air variant, designated PL-8H, features a smaller warhead.

The PL-8 is operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force. It is deployed on aircraft including the J-8, J-10, J-15, J-20, and the Flanker family. Because the missile has a larger wingspan than preceding designs, aircraft such as the J-15 employ extended wingtip pylons to carry it. The PL-8B remains widely deployed and is complemented by the newer PL-10 missile.