India is analyzing the Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missile and incorporating its advanced technologies into its indigenously made Astra-II missile
India has recovered a PL-15 E air-to-air missile, which does not have a self-destruct function, after it failed to explode.
Arab Defense Website – October 18, 2025: India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has decided to incorporate advanced features of China’s PL-15 air-to-air missile into its indigenous Astra Mark-2 programme, after a detailed technical analysis of an unexploded missile fired by a Pakistani pilot during Operation Sindoor in May, people familiar with the matter said.
The Indian Armed Forces recovered a PL-15 E long-range, air-to-air, beyond visual range missile from the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab during Operation Sindoor on May 9, presenting a rare intelligence gathering opportunity for Indian defense scientists.
According to informed sources, the export version of the advanced Chinese beyond visual range missile, which has a range of 145 kilometers, did not explode because it did not have a self-destruct mechanism, unlike all of India’s air missiles, which made it possible to recover it completely intact.
The recovery operation came during Operation Sindoor, India’s coordinated military response, which began on May 7, to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. It is believed that the missile was launched from a Pakistani JF-17 or J-10C aircraft, but it failed to hit its target and fell about 100 kilometers inside Indian territory, according to Indian reports.
While the DRDO is confidential about its analysis report submitted to the Ministry of Defence, the examination revealed several superior features of the Chinese missile, according to an informed source, including an advanced miniature AESA radar, advanced rocket propellant that allows for speeds exceeding Mach 5, and advanced anti-jamming capabilities. All these technologies, especially radar technology, are currently being integrated into India’s Astra missile development programme.
Another source indicated that Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its arsenal after Operation Sindoor. It is reported that the Pakistan Air Force is working to obtain long-range PL-17 missiles from China, purchase 2,000 YIHA suicide planes from Turkey, and has also requested a list of high-tech weapons from the United States.
The same source explained that Indian weapons performed effectively during the operation, with BrahMos, Rampage and SCALP missiles showing excellent results. However, Indian defense planners are seeking additional Meteor missiles for the Rafale fighters to ensure that the IAF is not constrained by the number of missiles in future battles. A new generation of BrahMos missiles with a range of up to 800 kilometers is also being developed to cover almost the entire width of Pakistani territory.
The evolution of threats, including the Chinese HQ-9 air defense systems possessed by Pakistan, has led to a strategic shift in India’s plans. Any future confrontations are likely to witness the operation of Indian fighters from outside the range of Pakistan’s air defenses, and the launch of long-range hypersonic missiles designed to penetrate ground and air radar systems.
The Chinese PL‑15 missile falls within the category of long-range air-to-air missiles. Its length is about four meters, while its diameter is estimated at about 200 mm, and its weight at launch in the export version is approximately 200 to 210 kilograms.
The missile relies on a hybrid guidance system that combines an inertial navigation system and support for satellite measurements, with a data link for follow-up during the middle of the trajectory, before moving to final guidance by a miniature AESA radar capable of detecting low-sector radar targets and confronting electronic jamming attempts. What gives it increased effectiveness in clashes at long distances.
The missile operates with a dual-pulse solid rocket engine, which provides the missile with additional propulsion capacity and allows it to achieve speeds of up to above Mach 4-5 in stages of flight, while its operational ranges depend on the launch conditions in terms of altitude, aircraft speed, and the state of the ballistic curve. While the local version is attributed to a range exceeding 200 kilometers, reports indicate that the export version PL‑15E is Its range is approximately 145 kilometers.
The missile’s structure features fins designed to facilitate carrying inside stealth aircraft cockpits, and has been coupled to multiple platforms such as the J‑10C, JF‑17 and some other modern aircraft, with improvements in anti-jamming and the ability to target targets with a low radar cross-section. As for exported versions, some capabilities are often reduced or announced to a lesser extent for export and regulatory reasons, and the actual performance efficiency remains always affected by the launch conditions and the tactical environment.
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