Prepared By : Mohd Ezli Mashut
Key Points
- It seems likely that Pakistan used the Chinese PL-15E missile against India, with debris found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on May 7, 2025.
- Research suggests the PL-15E has a 145 km range, speeds over Mach 5, and advanced guidance systems.
- The evidence leans toward this enhancing Pakistan’s air combat capabilities, amid ongoing tensions with India.
Incident Overview
On May 7, 2025, reports indicate Pakistan employed the Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missile during a conflict with India, with debris recovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
This event, confirmed by Indian media and international defense sources, marks the first combat use of this missile by Pakistan.
Missile Capabilities
The PL-15E, an export variant of China’s PL-15, has a range of about 145 km, compared to the domestic version’s 200-300 km.
At achieves speeds exceeding Mach 5, uses a dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket motor, and features advanced guidance with an AESA radar seeker and mid-course datalink support, boosting Pakistan’s beyond-visual-range combat abilities.
Regional Context
This incident occurs amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan showcasing advanced Chinese weaponry, including the PL-15, just days prior.
India’s air force, equipped with Rafale jets and Meteor missiles, faces a potential strategic challenge from Pakistan’s enhanced capabilities.
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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the PL-15E Missile Incident
This note provides a comprehensive examination of the reported use of the Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missile by Pakistan against India, with debris found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on May 7, 2025.
The analysis draws on multiple sources to ensure accuracy and depth, reflecting the complexity of the event and its implications for regional security.
Incident Confirmation and Context
Multiple sources, including Indian media and international defense outlets, confirm that on May 7, 2025, Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) used the PL-15E missile in combat for the first time, with debris recovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
This event was reported by outlets such as [Army Recognition](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india) and [Defence Blog](https://defence-blog.com/chinese-made-pl-15-missile-debris-found-in-india/), with photos published by Indian media like Jagbani Punjab Kesari.
The incident aligns with escalating tensions following a terrorist attack in Kashmir, as noted by [South China Morning Post]
(https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308808/pakistan-air-force-showcases-advanced-chinese-weapons-tensions-escalate-india), with Pakistan releasing footage of JF-17 jets armed with PL-15 missiles days earlier.
The recovery of debris, identified as PL-15E, was confirmed through social media analysis and official reports, with [TWZ](https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time) noting imagery circulating on X, and [Bulgarian Military](https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/05/07/breaking-chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-made-combat-debut/) highlighting Pakistan’s air strikes. This marks a significant escalation, given the missile’s advanced capabilities and the ongoing India-Pakistan rivalry.
Missile Specifications and Capabilities
The PL-15E is the export version of China’s PL-15, with detailed specifications provided by [Army Recognition](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india) and [Wikipedia - PL-15](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PL-15). Below is a table summarizing key attributes:
| Attribute | Details |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Range | 145 km (export version), 200-300 km (domestic) |
| Speed | Over Mach 5 |
| Length | 3.996 m |
| Diameter | 203 mm |
| Weight | Up to 210 kg |
| Warhead | 20-25 kg (high-explosive fragmentation) |
| Propulsion | Dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Guidance System | AESA radar seeker, mid-course datalink, Beidou updates |
The missile’s advanced guidance, including inertial navigation and two-way datalink, enhances its fire-and-forget capability, making it resistant to electronic countermeasures.
Its folding fins allow integration with stealth platforms like the J-20 and J-35, as noted by [Wikipedia - PL-15](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PL-15), potentially carrying up to six missiles internally. Development began in the early 2010s, becoming operational between 2015-2017, replacing the PL-12 in China’s arsenal.
Pakistan’s Deployment and Acquisition
Pakistan’s capability to deploy the PL-15E is supported by its fleet of approximately 45-50 JF-17 Block III and 20 J-10CE fighter jets, totaling around 65-70 units capable of launching the missile, as per [Army Recognition](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india).
Older JF-17 Block I/II (~100 units) are not compatible due to radar limitations (KLJ-7). The missiles were acquired under a $1.525 billion agreement in June 2021, including 240 PL-15E units, 20 J-10CE fighters, and 10 WS-10B engines, as reported by the same source.
The JF-17 Block III, while versatile, faces limitations such as lower radar performance compared to India’s Rafale (Thales RBE2 AESA) and reduced mission endurance (2.5-3 hours) due to internal fuel (~2,330 kg), particularly in high-altitude operations like Kashmir.
The cost per missile is estimated at $900,000 to $1.2 million, depending on volume and support, according to [Army Recognition](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india).
Regional Implications and Comparative Analysis
This incident occurs in a context where India possesses 36 Rafale jets equipped with Meteor missiles (longer range, ramjet propulsion) and 272 Su-30MKI with R-77 missiles (110 km range), alongside S-400 systems (up to 400 km range), as noted by [Army Recognition](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india). The PL-15E’s deployment could shift the balance, with [TRT Global]
(https://trt.global/world/article/8cecc4c3cc0c) suggesting it has a longer range than India’s Meteor, potentially giving Pakistan an edge in beyond-visual-range engagements.
However, [Swarajya Mag](https://swarajyamag.com/defence/pl-15-vs-meteor-does-the-chinese-missile-give-pakistan-air-force-an-edge-over-indian-rafales) debates whether this edge is significant, given India’s advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities.
The incident also raises concerns about escalation, with [TWZ](https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time) reporting claims of Indian Rafale losses, though details remain murky. French intelligence reportedly confirmed one Rafale loss, adding to the complexity.
Additional Observations
Some sources, like [South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308808/pakistan-air-force-showcases-advanced-chinese-weapons-tensions-escalate-india), suggest Pakistan might be using the domestic PL-15 (200-300 km range), not PL-15E, based on footage.
However, debris analysis and [Wikipedia - PL-15](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PL-15) confirm the export version, with a reduced range possibly due to propellant changes. This discrepancy highlights the need for cautious interpretation, especially given the strategic implications.
The missile’s combat debut, as noted by [Bulgarian Military](https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/05/07/breaking-chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-made-combat-debut/), underscores China’s role in supporting Pakistan, with reports of rapid deliveries from PLA stocks, as per [Bulgarian Military](https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/04/26/china-rushes-pl-15-missiles-to-pakistan-amid-india-tensions/). This aligns with China’s strategy of leveraging military-industrial support for allies, potentially escalating regional tensions.
Conclusion
The use of the PL-15E by Pakistan on May 7, 2025, with debris found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, is well-documented across multiple sources.
Its advanced capabilities, including speeds over Mach 5 and AESA guidance, enhance Pakistan’s air combat prowess, though regional dynamics remain complex, with India’s advanced systems posing counter-challenges.
This incident, occurring on May 8, 2025, reflects ongoing tensions and the strategic interplay of advanced weaponry in South Asia.
Key Citations
- [Pakistan’s first combat use of Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missiles confirmed after debris found in India](https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/pakistans-first-combat-use-of-chinese-pl-15e-air-to-air-missiles-confirmed-after-debris-found-in-india)
- [PL-15 - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PL-15)
- [Did Pakistan just use most advanced Chinese missile to shoot down Indian jets?](https://trt.global/world/article/8cecc4c3cc0c)
- [Chinese-made PL-15 missile debris found in India](https://defence-blog.com/chinese-made-pl-15-missile-debris-found-in-india/)
- [BREAKING: China's PL-15 air-to-air missile made combat debut](https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/05/07/breaking-chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-made-combat-debut/)
- [China rushes PL-15 missiles to Pakistan amid India tensions](https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/04/26/china-rushes-pl-15-missiles-to-pakistan-amid-india-tensions/)
- [Pakistan Air Force showcases advanced Chinese weapons as tensions escalate with India | South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308808/pakistan-air-force-showcases-advanced-chinese-weapons-tensions-escalate-india)
- [PL-15 Vs Meteor: Does The Chinese Missile Give Pakistan Air Force An Edge Over Indian Rafales?](https://swarajyamag.com/defence/pl-15-vs-meteor-does-the-chinese-missile-give-pakistan-air-force-an-edge-over-indian-rafales)
- [China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time](https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time)
