Reports now indicate that China's cutting-edge PL-15 air-to-air missiles have been shipped to Pakistan's air Force (PAF), as tensions between india and pakistan continue to escalate following the fatal pahalgam terror assault. The most recent JF-17 Block III fighter jets equipped with PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles are depicted in recent PAF photographs.
The Eurasian Times reported that the missiles supplied to the PAF were not the export-model PL-15E, but rather came directly from China's People's Liberation army air Force (PLAAF). If accurate, it would indicate an accelerated delivery of weaponry from china to pakistan at a time when there is a significant risk of violence between the two neighbors. Pakistani pilots may be able to target indian aircraft from a greater distance because to the PL-15's long range, which might be advantageous if tensions intensify.
What is the PL-15 missile?
China's plans for contemporary air combat heavily rely on the PL-15. It is a long-range, active radar-guided air-to-air missile that was created by the state-owned aerospace corporation Aviation industry Corporation of china (AVIC).
It has an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a dual-pulse solid rocket motor. This enhances precision during flights by enabling accurate mid-air adjustments in conjunction with a two-way datalink.
The missile can travel faster than Mach 5 and has a stated range of 200 to 300 kilometers (120 to 190 miles). china unveiled an improved model with foldable fins at the Zhuhai air Show last year, enabling fighter jets like the J-20 to carry six missiles rather than just four.
Fallout after pahalgam Attack
These military developments come after a major terror attack in pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a shooting. It was the deadliest attack in india since Pulwama in 2019.
Following the attack, india downgraded diplomatic ties with pakistan, expelled Pakistani military officers, suspended the long-standing Indus Water Treaty, and closed the Attari land border post.
Pakistan retaliated by freezing the Simla Agreement and suspending other bilateral arrangements. It also closed its airspace to indian flights, halted all trade with india, and warned that any attempt to cut off water supplies would be seen as an act of war.
The Eurasian Times reported that the missiles supplied to the PAF were not the export-model PL-15E, but rather came directly from China's People's Liberation army air Force (PLAAF). If accurate, it would indicate an accelerated delivery of weaponry from china to pakistan at a time when there is a significant risk of violence between the two neighbors. Pakistani pilots may be able to target indian aircraft from a greater distance because to the PL-15's long range, which might be advantageous if tensions intensify.
What is the PL-15 missile?
China's plans for contemporary air combat heavily rely on the PL-15. It is a long-range, active radar-guided air-to-air missile that was created by the state-owned aerospace corporation Aviation industry Corporation of china (AVIC).
It has an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a dual-pulse solid rocket motor. This enhances precision during flights by enabling accurate mid-air adjustments in conjunction with a two-way datalink.
The missile can travel faster than Mach 5 and has a stated range of 200 to 300 kilometers (120 to 190 miles). china unveiled an improved model with foldable fins at the Zhuhai air Show last year, enabling fighter jets like the J-20 to carry six missiles rather than just four.
Fallout after pahalgam Attack
These military developments come after a major terror attack in pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a shooting. It was the deadliest attack in india since Pulwama in 2019.
Following the attack, india downgraded diplomatic ties with pakistan, expelled Pakistani military officers, suspended the long-standing Indus Water Treaty, and closed the Attari land border post.
Pakistan retaliated by freezing the Simla Agreement and suspending other bilateral arrangements. It also closed its airspace to indian flights, halted all trade with india, and warned that any attempt to cut off water supplies would be seen as an act of war.
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