SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development following the recent India-Pakistan aerial clashes, Japanese radar engineers and electronic warfare (EW) experts are set to be the first foreign specialists to access detailed information on the Chinese-made PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) recovered by India.
According to sources close to idrw.org, the missiles, fired by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets during Operation Sindoor, were rendered ineffective by India’s advanced EW systems, leading to the recovery of several near-intact PL-15E units, complete with their guidance systems and seekers. This breakthrough offers a rare opportunity to study one of China’s most advanced air-to-air weapons, drawing global attention as nations like Japan seek to counter the growing threat of Chinese military technology.
The PL-15E missiles were recovered in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, approximately 100 km from the India-Pakistan border, following intense aerial engagements on May 7–9, 2025, during India’s Operation Sindoor. Launched in retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Air Force (IAF) target terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The PAF, equipped with Chinese-supplied J-10C and JF-17 Block III fighters, deployed the PL-15E in an attempt to counter IAF jets, including Rafales and Su-30MKIs. However, the IAF’s advanced EW systems, including the Rafale’s SPECTRA suite and the Su-30MKI’s EL/M-8222 jamming pod, effectively disrupted the missiles’ datalink and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seekers, causing them to fail mid-flight.
Several PL-15E missiles were recovered in near-intact condition, with critical components such as the propulsion system, inertial reference unit, datalink, and AESA radar seeker preserved. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has since taken possession of the wreckage for detailed analysis, focusing on reverse-engineering the missile’s technology and assessing its vulnerabilities. The recovery of the electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) module and guidance software has further amplified the strategic value of the find, offering insights into China’s advanced missile design and potential weaknesses that can be exploited in future conflicts.
Japan’s keen interest in the PL-15E wreckage stems from its growing concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The PL-15E, an export variant of the PL-15 developed by China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), boasts a 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 formidable weapon against modern fighter jets, including Japan’s F-35s and F-15Js. With China’s J-20 stealth fighters and J-16 multirole jets also equipped with the more advanced PL-15 variant (with a reported range of 200–300 km), Japan views the recovery as a critical opportunity to understand and counter this threat.
According to sources close to idrw.org, Japanese radar engineers and EW experts will be the first to receive detailed data on the PL-15E’s components, including its seeker algorithms, datalink encryption, and resistance to electronic countermeasures. This collaboration aligns with Japan’s broader defense strategy, which includes developing advanced EW systems and missile countermeasures to protect its airspace amid rising tensions with China over the East China Sea. By analyzing the PL-15E, Japan aims to refine its own air-to-air missile programs, such as the AAM-4B, and enhance the survivability of its fighter jets in contested environments.
The successful jamming of the PL-15E missiles highlights the effectiveness of India’s multi-layered EW capabilities. During Operation Sindoor, the IAF deployed a combination of ground-based and airborne EW systems to neutralize the PAF’s aerial offensive. The Rafale’s SPECTRA suite, known for its frequency agility and low probability of intercept (LPI) modes, likely played a key role in disrupting the PL-15E’s AESA seeker, while the Su-30MKI’s Israeli-made EL/M-8222 pod and indigenous Tarang radar warning receiver (RWR) provided additional jamming support. Posts on X have celebrated the IAF’s “god-level skills,” with unverified claims suggesting that Su-30MKIs alone evaded over eight PL-15E missiles through a combination of high-g maneuvers, ECM deployment, and terrain exploitation.
The PL-15E’s failure to engage its targets has raised questions about its operational reliability, particularly in contested electronic environments. Indian defense officials have noted that the PAF’s strategy of firing the missiles at their maximum range (D-MAX) of 145 km reduced their accuracy, allowing IAF jets to evade them. The JF-17’s smaller KLJ-7A AESA radar, with a detection range of 100–120 km, may have further limited the missile’s effectiveness, as it struggled to provide guidance at extended ranges without support from airborne early warning platforms like the ZDK-03, which were reportedly disrupted by Indian EW.
The recovery of the PL-15E has sparked widespread international interest, with the Five Eyes alliance (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), France, South Korea, and Taiwan also seeking access to the data. Japan’s early involvement underscores its strategic partnership with India, particularly in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The insights gained from the PL-15E could inform Japan’s development of countermeasures to jam or spoof the missile’s guidance, enhancing its air defense capabilities against Chinese threats.
For India, the recovery is a technological bonanza that could accelerate its indigenous missile programs, such as the Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 BVRAAMs. By studying the PL-15E’s propulsion efficiency, seeker algorithms, and ECCM module, the DRDO aims to improve India’s own air-to-air missiles and develop advanced EW systems to counter similar threats. The findings could also enhance the readiness of India’s ground-based air defense systems, like the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, to intercept Chinese missiles in future conflicts.
The incident has also exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s aerial strategy and its reliance on Chinese-supplied weaponry. Chinese bloggers have downplayed the PL-15E’s failure, arguing that the export variant is a downgraded version of the PL-15 used by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), but the missile’s combat ineffectiveness has sparked debate about the reliability of China’s defense exports. The loss of several near-intact missiles has fueled concerns in China about potential technology leakage, with netizens on Weibo criticizing the PAF’s tactics and lack of integrated air combat strategies.
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