Pakistan’s First Combat Use of Chinese PL-15E Air-to-Air Missiles Confirmed After Debris Found in India

Pakistan’s First Combat Use of Chinese PL-15E Air-to-Air Missiles Confirmed After Debris Found in India

May 8, 2025

In a significant development that signals a shift in South Asia’s aerial warfare dynamics, Pakistan has reportedly used the Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missile in a real combat scenario for the first time. The confirmation came after Indian authorities discovered debris from the missile in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, following recent cross-border skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani fighter jets.

Discovery and Confirmation

According to Indian defense sources, fragments of a Chinese-origin PL-15E missile were found after a dogfight between Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets near the Line of Control (LoC). The remnants included parts of the missile’s active radar seeker and propulsion unit, clearly identifying it as the PL-15E—the export variant of China’s most advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).

This is the first documented use of the PL-15E in combat, confirming that Pakistan has operationalized the missile on platforms such as the Chinese-supplied J-10C fighter jets.

Technical Superiority of the PL-15E

The PL-15E is a long-range, radar-guided air-to-air missile developed by China’s Aviation Industry Corporation. Capable of engaging targets up to 145 kilometers away and flying at speeds exceeding Mach 4, it uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for target tracking, giving it superior range and lock-on capabilities compared to older systems.

This missile is designed to counter advanced enemy aircraft, including 5th-generation fighters, and is part of China’s strategy to dominate the airspace within its sphere of influence. For Pakistan, the PL-15E enhances its capacity to conduct stand-off engagements, meaning its jets can fire at enemy aircraft from a safe distance without entering hostile airspace.

Combat Context: The Recent Escalation

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up again last week after India launched precision strikes on what it claimed were terror camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan scrambled its air force to intercept and retaliate. According to Pakistani officials, their jets intercepted multiple Indian fighters, reportedly damaging or downing at least one Rafale jet.

It was during this encounter that the PL-15E was reportedly launched by a PAF J-10C. The use of this modern BVRAAM suggests that Pakistan is now shifting its air warfare doctrine toward high-tech, long-range engagements, relying less on dogfighting and more on beyond-visual-range superiority.

Strategic Implications

The confirmed use of the PL-15E has serious implications for South Asia’s military balance. Pakistan’s ability to target Indian aircraft from greater distances threatens to blunt India’s air superiority, especially since India’s own long-range missile capabilities—like the Meteor missile on the Rafale—are limited in quantity and range.

Moreover, this incident illustrates the deepening defense cooperation between Pakistan and China. The J-10C aircraft that launched the missile, along with the missile itself, are both Chinese imports. China’s willingness to export such advanced systems indicates strong geopolitical alignment and a shared interest in counterbalancing Indian and Western influence in the region.

Indian Concerns and Military Response

Indian defense experts have expressed concern over this technological leap. While India possesses modern aircraft like the Rafale, their Meteor missiles have a similar range but are available in smaller numbers. Additionally, integrating equivalent missiles across a broad range of Indian aircraft platforms remains a logistical and strategic challenge.

The Indian Air Force is reportedly reviewing its rules of engagement and is pushing for faster procurement of advanced munitions and systems, including more Meteor missiles, indigenous Astra BVRAAMs, and airborne early warning systems to counter threats like the PL-15E.

International Observations and Diplomatic Risks

International observers have noted that this development could escalate the arms race in South Asia. The use of advanced missile systems like the PL-15E in live combat raises the risk of miscalculations during aerial confrontations. Furthermore, it challenges global non-proliferation norms, as China’s export of such potent weapons to Pakistan could prompt similar actions by other military powers.

The United Nations and other international bodies have urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than military escalation. However, with both nations now deploying next-generation air-to-air missiles, the potential for rapid escalation in future confrontations is higher than ever.

Conclusion

The confirmation of Pakistan’s first combat use of the PL-15E air-to-air missile marks a turning point in regional military strategy. It showcases Pakistan’s growing reliance on Chinese defense technology and its intent to assert control over its airspace with superior weaponry. For India, it is a wake-up call to accelerate its modernization programs and reassess the strategic calculus in its aerial defense planning.

As tensions continue to simmer, the international community will closely monitor developments, aware that a single misstep in the sky could have grave consequences on the ground.