Why Pakistan-fired PL-15E missile's debris in India is China's worry
On the intervening night of May 6-7, India and Pakistan engaged in a high-stakes aerial stand-off, a non-conventional confrontation wherein neither side crossed the other's airspace. This clash, sparked by escalating tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, saw both nations deploy advanced fighter jets and missiles in a display of military prowess.India, under Operation Sindoor, fielded over four squadrons of its air force, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 jets, armed with BrahMos and SCALP-EG cruise missiles, AASM Hammer guided bombs for ground strikes, and Meteor missiles for air-to-air combat.advertisementPakistan countered with more than 40 jets, including the US-supplied F-16 Vipers and Chinese J-10C and JF-17 Thunder fighters, firing PL-15E air-to-air missiles acquired from China and Fatah-II rockets at Indian facilities.It is clear now how China cast a long shadow over the conflict. Indian military officials have accused Beijing of bolstering Pakistan with air defence and satellite systems, which apparently fell short in performance against the Indian aerial offensive.
Amidst the three days of intense missile and drone exchanges between India and Pakistan, debris from a Chinese PL-15E missile, launched by a J-10C or JF-17 jet of the Pakistan air force, was found near Kamahi Devi village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district.Significant portions of the missile, including its propulsion, data-link, inertial unit and advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker, were found to be intact. The debris find has drawn global attention, with the Five Eyes alliance (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand), Japan and South Korea having requested access to study its dual-pulse motor and AESA technology. This reflects global concerns about China's advancing military technology.advertisementIndian defence scientists now possess this debris, leading to speculation about potential reverse-engineering to bolster India's own beyond-visual-range missile programmes, such as the upgraded Astra missile, and to probably rule out technical glitches in its development.Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, during a briefing on May 29, sidestepped questions about the efficacy of these systems, instead urging India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. 'India and Pakistan are neighbours who cannot be moved. We hope both sides will remain calm to avoid further complicating the situation,' he said, adding that China was willing to play a constructive role in regional stability.Zhang acknowledged the PL-15E's use—for the first time by China in the conflict—noting it as an exported weapon showcased at multiple defence exhibitions, including the Zhuhai air show in November 2024. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the PL-15E is a long-range, active radar-guided air-to-air missile. The recovery of its debris in India has sparked concerns in Beijing about technological leaks.Pakistan's military arsenal heavily relies on Chinese equipment, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reporting that 81 per cent of its arms imports in 2020-24 came from China, up from 74 per cent in 2015-19. This includes over half of Pakistan's 400-plus fighter jets, notably the JF-17 and J-10C, alongside systems such as the HQ-9 air defence and PL-15E missile.advertisementSocial media posts have pegged this figure at as high as 82 per cent for 2019-23, underscoring Pakistan's dependence on Chinese arms, including co-developed platforms such as the JF-17. Reports also suggest China rushed additional PL-15E missile deliveries to Pakistan at the peak of tensions with India, highlighting Beijing's strategic support to its ally.As the debris of PL-15E offers India a rare opportunity to study cutting-edge Chinese technology, the incident also points to the complex interplay of regional rivalries and global arms dynamics. While India's defence research community may gain insights to refine its missile technology, a broader question remains: will this clash, marked by advanced weaponry and restrained borders, lead to de-escalation or further fuel South Asia's volatile fault lines?Subscribe to India Today MagazineMust Watch
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