The roughly 6-meter-long PL-17 air-to-air missile is assessed to have an engagement range of 300–500 km. In a potential air combat scenario involving the United States, this capability could allow China to significantly disrupt, and potentially paralyze, U.S. combat aviation

While at maximum range the PL-17 is unlikely to be highly effective against highly maneuverable targets such as fighter aircraft, it serves a different and critically important mission for China: engaging high-value airborne assets, including AEW&C aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, and other large support platforms.

From Defense Express’s perspective, attacks on aerial refueling tankers may represent the missile’s key mission. Without them, U.S. combat aviation would lose a significant portion of its effectiveness, including the ability to concentrate large forces in the air, conduct long-range tactical aviation operations, and sustain multi-hour combat air patrols.