Amid surging India-Pakistan tensions, defense circles are abuzz with reports that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received an urgent delivery of China’s advanced PL-15 very long-range air-to-air missiles. The situation, if confirmed, could signal a major shift in the South Asian air power balance at a time when hostilities could erupt with little warning.
The Pakistan Air Force has publicly showcased its latest JF-17 Block III fighter jets armed with the formidable PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles. Notably, images reveal these missiles mounted on dual racks, a configuration that hints at an operational readiness beyond standard parade displays.
The information, initially disseminated by ClashReport—a defense-focused outlet with nearly 500,000 followers—suggests that the PL-15 missiles seen on Pakistani aircraft are not the downgraded export variant PL-15E but the more lethal domestic version used by China’s own People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Should these reports hold true, this could point to an emergency arms transfer from Beijing to Islamabad. With tensions between India and Pakistan at one of their most volatile points in years, the arrival of such game-changing weaponry is a calculated move that could alter the strategic calculus in South Asia.
The PL-15, developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), stands at the heart of China’s next-generation aerial warfare doctrine. Using a dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket motor and equipped with an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar seeker along with a two-way data link, the PL-15 allows for mid-course corrections and precise targeting even at extreme distances.
Its operational range is claimed to be between 200 and 300 kilometers (120-190 miles), with speeds reaching Mach 5 or beyond. In simple terms, it can engage enemy aircraft well before they pose a direct threat, a capability that grants Pakistan’s PAF a potentially serious first-strike advantage.
The missile is already operational on advanced platforms such as the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, J-10C, J-11B, J-15, and J-16—and now the JF-17 Block III. At last year’s Zhuhai Airshow, China revealed a version with folding fins, allowing more missiles to be carried internally, particularly enhancing the load-out for the J-20 stealth fighter.
While the PL-15E export variant is capped at a 145 km range, the full-fledged PL-15 reportedly dwarfs even the latest versions of the U.S. AIM-120D AMRAAM, and in many respects, rivals Europe’s Meteor missile.
If Pakistan indeed has access to the standard PL-15, this development could significantly tip the balance of air superiority in Pakistan’s favor, at least in the short term. The Indian Air Force (IAF), while equipped with highly capable platforms such as the Rafale armed with Meteor missiles, would now face adversaries with the ability to engage them from even greater distances.
The Meteor missile, known for its ramjet propulsion and large “no-escape” zone, has a range between 100 and 200 kilometers and maintains high speed throughout its flight thanks to its ramjet engine. However, while Meteor boasts tested reliability and integration across various platforms including Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Gripen, the PL-15 potentially offers greater raw range and initial velocity, albeit without the sustained propulsion advantage of a ramjet.
Moreover, the Meteor’s data link provides pilots with real-time information on the missile’s status—a key advantage in dynamic aerial combat. Nevertheless, the PL-15’s two-way data link gives PAF pilots a similar ability to redirect or update missile targets mid-flight.
Facing this challenge, India is unlikely to sit idle. Analysts suggest that integrating Russia’s battle-hardened R-37M missiles could be one of the fastest ways to counter Pakistan’s new advantage.
The R-37M, originally developed for Russia’s MiG-31 interceptors, has an astonishing range of up to 400 kilometers and can reach speeds of Mach 6. Russia has extensively used these missiles in the Ukraine conflict, reportedly downing multiple Ukrainian aircraft, including a much-publicized case involving an F-16 earlier this month.
India already operates over 260 Su-30MKI fighters—an ideal platform for the R-37M. Discussions are underway to upgrade these aircraft to the Su-30SM2 standard, which would make them more compatible with newer Russian armaments. India has already signed deals to acquire more Su-30MKIs and is considering the $7.5 billion upgrade package to boost its Su-30MKI fleet.
Russia, keen to deepen its defense ties with India, has offered a joint production line for the R-37M under its export name RVV-BD. Talks are reportedly advancing, with integration trials on Rafale platforms also being explored.
Yet, some voices within India’s defense community advise caution. Former IAF Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat argues that the integration of R-37Ms onto Su-30MKIs would require substantial effort and time. Instead, he suggests, the focus should be on accelerating the Astra missile program.
The Astra Mk-III, recently renamed Gandhiva, is poised to become one of the world’s longest-range air-to-air missiles. With a range of 340 kilometers at high altitudes and 190 kilometers at lower altitudes, the Gandhiva would offer the IAF a formidable indigenous option.
Integrated with Su-30MKI and the domestically produced Tejas fighter, the Gandhiva program represents India’s push for self-reliance in critical defense technologies.
The urgency within Indian defense circles is deeply rooted in historical scars. During the 2019 Balakot standoff, Pakistan downed an Indian MiG-21 Bison using an F-16 armed with an AMRAAM missile. At the time, the IAF’s lack of comparable long-range missiles was a glaring vulnerability.
In the years since, India has fortified its BVR capabilities with Rafales carrying Meteors and Su-30MKIs upgraded with R-77s. Yet, the arrival of PL-15s in Pakistan’s arsenal raises alarm bells. The PAF could now potentially out-range even India’s best fighters in certain scenarios.
The bigger picture is China’s deepening defense relationship with Pakistan. Historically, China has provided Pakistan with critical military technologies—from nuclear assistance to aircraft like the JF-17 Thunder. Now, by possibly transferring frontline PL-15 missiles, China signals its readiness to back Islamabad decisively, even at the risk of regional destabilization.
Moreover, it showcases Beijing’s ability to rapidly scale and export high-end weaponry without the bureaucratic inertia seen in Western arms sales.
This delivery also sends a subtle warning to New Delhi: China can and will continue to act as a force multiplier for Pakistan whenever strategic calculations demand it.
As India and Pakistan continue to shadowbox along the Line of Control and in diplomatic corridors worldwide, the sudden arrival of the PL-15 in PAF hands introduces a new and dangerous dimension to the equation.
India’s options include fast-tracking indigenous missile projects like Astra Mk-III, considering interim buys of Russian R-37Ms, and expediting the Su-30MKI upgrade program. However, these are medium-to-long-term solutions. In the immediate term, the IAF must develop tactical doctrines to counter the new threat—including better early warning, electronic warfare capabilities, and strategic asset dispersal.
