SOURCE: AFI
In a significant development following recent India-Pakistan hostilities, the recovery of a nearly intact Chinese-made PL-15E Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) in India’s Punjab region has sparked intense international interest. The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—along with Japan and France, have already requested India to share data on the missile.
Now, Taiwan has joined the chorus, seeking detailed insights into the advanced Chinese weapon system recovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on May 9, 2025. This unprecedented global focus underscores the strategic importance of the find and its potential to reshape air combat dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
The PL-15E, an export variant of China’s formidable PL-15 missile, was discovered largely intact in a rural area of Hoshiarpur, approximately 100 km from the India-Pakistan border. The missile, believed to have been launched by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) J-10C or JF-17 Block III fighters during a failed attempt to target Indian Air Force (IAF) assets, includes critical components such as its propulsion system, datalink, inertial reference unit, and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker. The missile’s near-pristine condition, with no signs of detonation, suggests it either malfunctioned, exhausted its fuel, or was neutralized by India’s electronic warfare (EW) systems, offering a rare opportunity to study China’s advanced missile technology.
Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the PL-15E is a long-range BVRAAM with a reported range of 145 km, a dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket motor, and speeds exceeding Mach 5. Its AESA radar seeker and two-way datalink enable precise targeting and mid-course corrections, making it a cornerstone of China’s air combat strategy and a significant threat to modern fighter jets. The recovery of such a sophisticated weapon, especially with intact components like the electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) module and guidance software, has positioned India at the center of global defense intelligence efforts.
The Five Eyes alliance, driven by concerns over China’s growing military capabilities, was among the first to express interest in the PL-15E wreckage. For the United States, in particular, analyzing the missile’s AESA seeker and datalink could provide critical insights into countering Chinese air-to-air threats, especially in potential conflicts over Taiwan or the South China Sea. Japan, a key Indo-Pacific ally, followed suit, seeking to bolster its defenses against Chinese air forces equipped with the PL-15 on platforms like the J-20 and J-10C. France, a major supplier of India’s Rafale jets, is keen to ensure its aircraft remain competitive against Chinese technology, with the PL-15E data potentially informing future upgrades to the Rafale’s Meteor missile and electronic warfare suites.
Taiwan’s request, reported recently, adds a new dimension to the saga. As a frontline state facing China’s military pressure, Taiwan is eager to understand the PL-15E’s capabilities and vulnerabilities. The missile’s integration into China’s J-20 stealth fighters poses a direct threat to Taiwanese air defenses, and insights from the wreckage could enhance Taiwan’s ability to develop countermeasures or refine its own air-to-air missile programs. The Taiwanese request aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging international partnerships to counter China’s regional dominance.
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