Chinese PL-15 Missile
One quiet morning in Hoshiarpur, a small Indian city in Punjab province, officials stumbled over a shocking discovery: fragments of a Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missile strewn on an open field. The Indian authorities confirmed the remains, marking the first known deployment of this sophisticated weapon in combat operations and representing a sombre milestone in the escalating war between India and Pakistan, both of which are nuclear-armed nations.
The discovery, reported on May 7, 2025, occurs amid a hot sequence of missile and air raids, initiated by a fatal terrorist strike in Kashmir two weeks prior. The violence began after a chilling attack on April 22, 2025, when 26 people, the majority of whom were tourists, were massacred in the picturesque Baisaran Valley in Indian-held Kashmir.
India soon blamed Pakistan-based militant groups, specifically Lashkar-e-Taiba, for orchestrating the attack, which Pakistan vehemently denied. India responded by launching Operation Sindoor at dawn on May 7, a joint operation by its army, navy, and air force—the first joint operation of this kind since the 1971 war.
Indian forces fired precision missiles, including SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs, at nine suspected terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Jaish-e-Mohammad bases in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. The attacks, according to Indian officials, were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” ensuring they did not target Pakistan’s civilian or military infrastructure.
As tensions reach their peak, the introduction of Chinese weapons into the conflict raises concerns about the shifting power dynamics in South Asia and the increasing influence of Beijing in the region.
Declarations of Hostilities
Pakistan condemned the airstrikes, calling them “declarations of hostilities” and blaming India for civilian deaths, including two toddlers. A missile reportedly struck a mosque in Bahawalpur, killing 13 people and sparking nationwide outrage and protests across Pakistan.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military spokesperson, stated that the Indian airstrikes targeted six civilian locations. He dismissed India’s claims of hitting terror camps as “unsubstantiated” and “unreasonable” and rejected them outright.
In response, Pakistan’s air force claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft—two piloted and one drone. However, Indian officials have not yet confirmed any aircraft losses or acknowledged the Pakistani claims.
Amid the chaos, Indian troops found PL-15 missile debris in Hoshiarpur, revealing China’s advanced weapons in the battle. This discovery suggests Pakistan used Chinese-made PL-15 missiles, highlighting how modern weapons shape this regional conflict.
The PL-15, built by China’s AVIC, targets high-value airborne assets like AWACS, tankers, and fighters beyond 124 miles. It uses an active radar system and a dual-pulse motor to reach speeds of over Mach 5.
The missile can operate even under harsh conditions, thanks to its AESA-guided navigation and powerful sensors. China’s PLAAF first tested the PL-15 in 2012 and fielded it operationally by 2018. Pakistan likely uses the PL-15E export variant, which analysts say has a maximum range of around 90 miles.
These missiles are typically mounted on JF-17 Thunder Block III jets, co-developed by Pakistan and China. Shortly before the Hoshiarpur incident, Pakistan aired videos showing JF-17s armed with both PL-15 and PL-10 missiles.
The PL-10 is a close-combat infrared missile, complementing the long-range role of the PL-15. Together, these missiles give Pakistan’s air force a layered, lethal punch for different combat ranges.
JF-17’s AESA radar
The JF-17’s AESA radar and avionics allow it to fully exploit the PL-series missiles in active combat. Reports suggest China fast-tracked PL-15 deliveries, bypassing standard export channels to support Pakistan against India.
This move highlights growing Chinese military support for Pakistan, especially after the deadly Pahalgam incident. At the root of this flare-up lies Kashmir—a region bitterly contested since India and Pakistan’s 1947 partition. The two nations have fought three wars and numerous skirmishes, with Kashmir often serving as the flashpoint.
The 2019 Balakot airstrike marked a major escalation of the conflict, as India attacked a Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan in retaliation for a Pulwama suicide attack. In that battle, the Pakistani air force used U.S.-sourced AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles to down an Indian MiG-21, though reports of other air victories are unconfirmed.
The current crisis introduces a fresh dimension with the PL-15’s initial combat debut, as China becomes more active in the region’s military calculus. India’s air force, with a combination of Russian Su-30MKIs, French Rafales, and indigenous Tejas fighters, depends on a diversified inventory of air-to-air missiles. The indigenous Astra Mk1, with a 62- to 75-mile range, and the European MBDA Meteor, with more than 124 miles on Rafale jets, are the centre of attention.
The world’s most advanced Air-to-Air missiles
The Meteor, which employs ramjet-based technology, is among the world’s most advanced air-to-air missiles, with advanced maneuverability and no escape region over PL-15. But the longer range of the PL-15 gives Pakistani pilots the luxury of engaging Indian aircraft from more secure distances, which might counter India’s technological advantage in its superior platforms. Although their claim remains unconfirmed, social media users on X have speculated that the PL-15 could potentially challenge India’s Rafales.
China’s military cooperation with Pakistan solidified over decades of bilateral working and has become more entrenched recently. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—a $62 billion infrastructure project—has cemented economic ties, while joint ventures like the JF-17 Program have cemented defence cooperation.
As Firstpost reported on April 28, 2025, China’s quick supply of PL-15 missiles to Pakistan highlights an agile supply chain capable of responding to crises on time.
Buying weapons from Russia, the United States, and France
The relationship provides Pakistan with access to sophisticated weapons, training, and technology transfers, thereby making it a counterforce to India’s military modernization. India, on the other hand, diversifies its producers by buying weapons from Russia, the United States, and France—a system that minimizes reliance but complicates logistics.
The presence of PL-15 debris has created controversy over China’s strategic interests. In selling advanced missiles to Pakistan, Beijing is cementing its alliance and testing its weapons in a real battle context, which may render it more competitive in the global weapons marketplace.
The deployment of the PL-15 on the battlefield demonstrates China’s increasing aerospace might and signifies a significant shift in air warfare. Much like the U.S. Similar to the AIM-54 Phoenix in the 1970s, this missile transforms the nature of modern air battles.
For India, the missile signals a rising challenge—facing advanced technology from a rival backed by a global superpower. To counter Pakistani strikes, India deployed Russian-made S400 air defence systems with a range of 25–250 miles.
India TV reported
India TV reported the S-400 deployment on May 7, 2025, during heightened cross-border tensions. World reactions have remained cautious but steady, with a shared hope to prevent further conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged restraint on May 6, 2025, citing diplomatic talks underway with both nations. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry echoed that message, warning the world cannot afford a war between India and Pakistan.
Some compared the strikes to earlier crises, but this time, Chinese weapons add new risks and complications. The PL-15’s long reach could encourage India to speed up its missile programmes, like the Astra Mk3. India may also pursue advanced options similar to the U.S. AIM-260 JATM, still under development. Missiles have long shaped conflicts—AIM-9 Sidewinders in Vietnam, AMRAAMs in the Gulf, and now PL-15s in South Asia.
PL-15 and Meteor
For China, the PL-15’s debut is a milestone, showcasing its rapid aerospace rise in global defence circles. The performance of the PL-15 remains largely unknown, unlike the Meteor, which has no real combat use, or the AMRAAM, which has a proven history.
Its success depends on the JF-17’s sensors and radar, which trail behind India’s more advanced platforms. Despite this, the PL-15’s range conveys a message: Pakistan has the ability to launch strikes from a distance, thereby altering the power dynamics.
This war has already taken lives. In Pakistan, scenes of bombed homes and injured civilians sparked deep public anger. On May 7, 2025, ABC News reported crowds in Pakistan burning Indian flags during street protests.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on the other hand, praised India for its strikes, which he described as firm action against terrorism. Prime Minister Modi was credited for responding decisively, even as civilian losses drew international concern.
Deaths in Bahawalpur, including two toddlers, brought attention to India’s targeting and raised ethical questions globally. Meanwhile, PL-15 wreckage found in Hoshiarpur gave proof of the tech-heavy nature of this escalating conflict.
China’s missile presence in South Asia carries deeper meaning, particularly in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategic calculations. The Biden administration approved AMRAAM C-8 sales to Saudi Arabia on May 2, 2025, as a countermeasure.
This U.S. move is part of efforts to offset rising Chinese and Russian arms exports in volatile regions. The conflict also threatens nuclear escalation between India and Pakistan, deepening global fears. The PL-15 stands as more than just a weapon—it reflects global rivalries, shifting alliances, and dangerous new possibilities.
Conclusion
Will India and Pakistan step back as the international community implores, or will the arrival of the PL-15 mark the start of a new arms race in South Asia? China’s dual role as supplier and putative beneficiary adds to the complications.
For now, the missile pieces in Hoshiarpur remain a stark reminder: in a tense region, cutting-edge technology can both provoke and deter, with consequences extending far beyond the subcontinent.
References
- AVIC–PL-15 Manufacturer
➤ AVIC Official Website - India launches Operation Sindoor
➤ Defense News Today – Operation Sindoor - PL-15 Missile Specs – GlobalSecurity.org
➤ GlobalSecurity – PL-15 Overview - CPEC – Government Portal
➤ CPEC Official - JF-17 Thunder Block III – Airforce Technology
➤ Airforce Technology – JF-17 Block III - Rafale & Meteor Missile – MBDA
➤ MBDA – Meteor Missile - S-400 Triumf in India – India Today
➤ India Today – S-400 Deployment - AIM-120C AMRAAM – Raytheon
➤ Raytheon – AMRAAM - Balakot Airstrike 2019 – BBC
➤ BBC – Balakot Airstrike - U.S. Statement on Indo-Pak Conflict – State Department
➤ U.S. Department of State - Qatar Calls for Diplomacy – MFA Qatar
➤ Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar - China’s Military Exports – Defense News
➤ Defense News – Chinese Arms - Pakistan Protests – ABC News
➤ ABC News – Pakistan Protests
