India captures fragments of Chinese PL‑15 missile from Pakistan
India has discovered fragments of the PL-15 missile, which could significantly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force over the next decade and present challenges for China.
The last "hot episode" in relations between India and Pakistan concluded with an aerial battle between their air forces, during which the Indians lost their first Rafale aircraft.
According to The National Interest, Indian soldiers captured fragments of a Chinese medium-range air-to-air PL-15E missile launched by a Pakistani JF-17 Thunder aircraft. This represents a significant advantage for India, as they will be able to analyze its technology.
Valuable Chinese PL-15E missile - here's how the Indians might have acquired it
It's worth noting that every new missile is typically equipped with a self-destruct mechanism designed to detonate after a certain time, preventing reverse engineering by adversaries. However, like any mechanical or electronic component, it can be unreliable and may have failed, as missiles undergo tremendous forces.
Now, the Indians will attempt to replicate the components missing in their national weapons development program. The main focus will likely be on the active radar seeker with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) and the communication link that ensures connectivity between the launched missile and the aircraft, allowing for updates to the target's location or even changes in flight. It's also possible that access to the data or wreckage may be sought by other countries, including the United States.
PL-15E - the export version of a weapon feared by Americans
The PL-15 missile was designed by the China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA), and its presence was first reported in Chinese media in 2015. This was not coincidental, as the new missile was expected to enter service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) between 2015 and 2017. Outside China, it has only been delivered to Pakistan.
The PL-15 is a 13-foot-long missile with a diameter of 8 inches and an estimated range of over 124 miles, significantly surpassing the reach of even the latest versions of the AIM-120D AMRAAM. This is why it poses a major concern for the United States, which is trying to develop countermeasures under programs such as XAIM-174B or AIM-260 JATM.
The precise capabilities of the PL-15 remain unknown, but it is believed to feature a two-stage rocket motor that can propel the missile to speeds of Mach 5. It is also capable of short-term operation in the final phase of flight to improve the chances of intercepting targets. It is noteworthy that the export version of the PL-15E reportedly has a reduced range, estimated at 93 miles, compared to the variant reserved for China.
