Pakistan's JF-17 Equipped with PL-15 Missiles Amid Tensions
The PL-15 missiles could provide the PAF with a significant advantage due to their long-range capabilities, allowing them to engage Indian aircraft at extreme distances, and the Indian Air Force must develop a strategy to counter this threat, potentially through the development of new missiles or joint ventures with other countries.
Pakistan has received an "express" delivery of advanced PL-15 missiles from China, which will be equipped on Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft, providing a potential tactical advantage in the escalating tensions with India.
The PL-15 missiles have a range of 200-300 km and are considered China's most advanced air-to-air missile, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). They are equipped with a dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket and AESA radar, allowing them to engage Indian aircraft at extreme distances. The missiles are cleared for use on several Chinese and Pakistani fighter jets, including the J-20, J-10C, J-15, J-16, J-11B, and JF-17 Block-III.
The development comes at a critical juncture when tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating, with a war potentially breaking out at any time. The threat of escalation looms large, and the Indian Air Force must strategize how to deal with the threat of PL-15 missiles in the current scenario with the available resources. India is considering options to counter the PL-15 threat, including the domestic production of the R-37M missile in a joint venture with Russia.
The situation is complex, with multiple factors at play, including the disputed status of Kashmir, the role of militant groups, and the relationship between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force has released a video showcasing its fighter jets equipped with Chinese-made PL-15 missiles, highlighting the JF-17 fighter jets armed with the advanced missiles, reportedly with an engagement range of 200-300km.