Pakistan Deploys Chinese-Made PL-15 Against India | All You Need To Know

Pakistani army바카라™s retaliation to India바카라™s Operation Sindoor has revealed the deployment of Chinese weaponry in the Pakistani offensive against Indian armed forces. While briefing the media pertaining to the conflict, Air Marshal A K Bharti, Director General Air Operations showcased the debris of the China-made PL-15 in Indian territory.

What is a PL-15 missile?

The PL-15 missile is a long range air-to-air missile developed by China바카라™s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) possessing a maximum range of 200-300 kilometres. The missile is also utilised by the China바카라™s People바카라™s Liberations Army Force and (PLAAF) and Naval Air Force (PLANAF). 

The active radar-guided long-range air-to-air missile was deployed for military service around 2015 to compete with the US-made AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. The missiles can be operated at a maximum speed of Mach 5 plus and are equipped with a dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket. This propeller aids in providing additional speed and energy to engage targets effectively at longer distances. This happens as the second pulse of the motor ignites during the terminal phase, thereby, increasing its effectiveness. 

In addition to its effectiveness, the missile is guided with a combination of inertial, satellite navigation, datalink and active radar. 

PL-15E, the export variant of the missile was launched at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow and possesses a diminished maximum range of 145 kilometers. The missiles can be armed with Pakistan바카라™s JF-17 Block III and J-10CE fighters. According to the Pakistani military, the nation has nearly 70 aircrafts in its fleet that can deploy the missile, as reported by The Indian Express.  

On May 7 2025, a wrecked Pakistani PL-15E was recovered from a field near Hoshiarpur in Punjab.