The Python 3 was rushed into service during the Lebanon War in 1982 , with pre-production rounds being tested in actual air-to-air combat against Syrian aircraft.  The conventional rod-type high-explosive warhead weighs 11 kg . It has a maximum range of about 15 kilometers and a maximum speed of Mach 3.5. The infrared seeker of the Python 3 has a plus or minus 30-degree gimbal angle and can be operated in boresight, uncaged, or radar-slaved mode. The Python 3 is claimed by Israel to have a speed, turning radius, and range superior to that of the AIM-9L Sidewinder. 

The missile upgrades the capability of its carrier and gives it air superiority in modern air combat scenarios, such as: 

    Head-on interceptions 
    Beam interceptions 
    Dogfights involving high-g maneuvers 
    Low-altitude interceptions of helicopters and light aircraft 
    Self-defense air combat during penetration missions. 

Main Featurs

    All-aspect capability, including head-on interception 
    Effective against most evasive tactics 
    Capable of intercepting low-signature and low-altitude threats 
    15 km maximum effective range at high altitude 
    Active proximity fuze, based on lead bias navigation system 
    Highly efficient warhead 
    Versatile target acquisition modes, including slaving to advanced radar system 
    Reliability greater than 95% 
    Full ILS, including combat doctrine manual, training and ground support equipment 

The PL-8 infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile is a Chinese licensed production version of the Israeli Python 3. China and Israel agreed on the deal of Python 3 technology and its licensed production in 1982, and the transfer began in September 1983. The first batch of the PL-8 rolled out between March 1988 and April 1989.

To streamline the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of the air-to-air missile, in the mid-1980s China integrated most of its air-to-air missile R&D teams and manufacturing facilities located in different regions into one AAM complex, known as Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC) . The PL-8 became the first project undertaken by this centre. In 2002 the centre was rename as China Academy of Air-to-Air Missile after Shaanxi Hanzhong Air-to-Air Missile Factory (also known as Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory) was relocated to Luoyang and merged with the centre.

As China's first all-aspect infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile, the PL-8 is currently in service with the PLA Air Force and Naval Aviation Troops in a significant number. The later versions of PL-8 were reported to have been integrated with helmet-mounted sight (HMS) to improve the performance.