India-Pakistan war: Amid the looming threat of an India-Pakistan war, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reportedly equipped its JF-17C fighter jets with PL-15 air-to-air missiles. The PAF recently released pictures showing a JF-17C combat jet equipped with a PL-15 advanced missile, with experts saying that the image was meant to send a message to India that the country is ready for war, if it comes to that.
According to media reports, China has shipped PL-15 missiles to Pakistan in wake of the heightened tensions with India. Notably, China has delivered the PL-15 version meant for the Chinese Air Force, instead of the PL-15E, which is export variant of the ultra-long range missile.
Experts claims the delivery was made on emergency basis as the missile variants sent to Pakistan are likely from the stock reserved for the Chinese Air Force, which employs these missiles in its fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter jets.
How powerful is the PL-15 missile?
The PL-15 missile is an advanced, ultra long-range air-to-air missile, reportedly with a range between 200 to 300 kilometers, making it a major threat to the fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF). As per reports, Pakistan has equipped its JF-17 Block III fighter with these long range missiles, enhancing the warplane’s offensive capabilities, and making it more lethal than before in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat.
Pakistan’s JF-17 Block III fighter jets are equipped with AESA radar, that enables the aircraft to easily track its target, and also comes with Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, which allows the pilot to lock the target using his helmet.
The PL-15 missile has clipped wings, enabling it to be equipped in internal weapon bay of stealth fighters like the J-20, and integration with the JF-17 Block III, which comes with the advanced KLJ-7AESA radar, enhances Pakistan Air Force’s ability to carry out long-range encounters, according to experts.
As per military experts, the PL-15 has similar range and maneuverability are similar to, and even surpass in some ways, West-made counterparts such as the US AIM-120D AMRAAM, which has a range of about 100 miles and is comparable to the European MBDA Meteor.
Worry for Indian Air Force?
While PL-15 missile installed onboard the JF-17 Block III fighter jet is undoubtedly a major challenge for the Indian Air Force, but the IAF has counter measures for such advanced weaponry, as its Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets are also equipped with advanced BVR missiles like Meteor (150+ km) and Astra Mk2 (160+ km).
Additionally, the IAF’s fighter jet fleet has more advanced radar and electronic warfare systems compared to their Pakistani counterparts.
According to defense experts, Pakistan would need powerful radar system and an excellent network support system, apart from experienced pilots to ensure that an advanced missile like the PL-15 is used to its full potential. They say that the Pakistan Air Force is lacking in all three of these fields, hence the PL-15 missile would not pose much a threat to India.
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