Top 10 Air-to-Air Missiles in the World in 2026

In modern air combat, the missile often matters more than the jet that carries it. Long-range air-to-air missiles now reach targets 150 to 300 km away, while short-range missiles can be fired at enemies behind the pilot’s shoulder. The 2025 India-Pakistan air battles and the war in Ukraine have put these weapons under a global spotlight. This ranking weighs range, propulsion, seeker technology and combat use.

1. MBDA Meteor (Europe)

Meteor is powered by a ramjet that keeps burning throughout its flight, giving it the largest “no-escape zone” of any Western missile, the range at which a target cannot outmaneuver it. It arms the Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen and is being integrated on the F-35.

2. AIM-120D AMRAAM (United States)

The latest AMRAAM has a range of around 160 km, two-way datalink and improved guidance. It is the most widely used beyond-visual-range missile in the world, with more than 40 user countries across all AMRAAM versions.

3. PL-15 (China)

A long-range missile with a dual-pulse rocket motor and active radar seeker, estimated at 200 km or more. Fired by Pakistani J-10Cs against Indian aircraft in May 2025, it became one of the most talked-about weapons in the world.

4. R-37M (Russia)

A very long-range missile designed to hit large aircraft such as AWACS and tankers at up to around 300 km. Fired from MiG-31s and Su-35s, it has shot down Ukrainian aircraft at extreme range.

5. AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II (United States)

The world’s leading short-range missile, with an imaging infrared seeker, thrust vectoring and the ability to lock on after launch. It has been used against drones and balloons as well as aircraft.

6. IRIS-T (Germany)

A highly agile short-range missile also adapted for ground-based air defense as IRIS-T SLM, which has proven itself in Ukraine.

7. MICA NG (France)

A new-generation version of France’s MICA with improved seekers in both radar and infrared versions, arming the Rafale F4.

8. R-77M (Russia)

Russia’s newest medium-range missile, with a dual-pulse motor and AESA-style seeker, designed for the Su-57.

9. Astra Mk1 (India)

India’s homegrown beyond-visual-range missile, integrated on the Su-30MKI and Tejas, with a longer-range Astra Mk2 in development.

10. PL-10 (China)

China’s agile short-range missile with an imaging infrared seeker, comparable to the AIM-9X and IRIS-T.

What’s next

The US is developing the AIM-260 JATM to outrange the PL-15, and China is fielding the very long-range PL-17. Air combat is turning into a long-range missile duel, where the side that sees first and shoots first usually wins.

Featured image: U.S. Air Force / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons