The Pakistan Air Force has officially confirmed the integration of Chinese PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles (VLRAAM), with a range of over 200 km, into its JF-17 Thunder fleet.
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This upgrade enhances the Pakistani fleet to the “first to see, first to shoot” level against the Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force.
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The growing tensions in the Kashmir region — recently intensified after an attack by militants that resulted in the death of fifty tourists — accelerated Pakistan’s decision to arm its JF-17 Block III fighters with modern Chinese PL-15 and PL-10 (short-range) missiles. Images released by The STRATCOM Bureau and the Directorate of Public Relations of the Armed Forces show the aircraft equipped with cutting-edge armaments.
According to official sources, the missiles were recently delivered by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China and are not subject to typical export restrictions, strengthening the military support between the two countries. The upgrade includes not only the JF-17 Thunder but also the J-10C, Chinese-made multirole aircraft that are part of Pakistan’s arsenal.
PL-15 Missile: Long-Range Power
Developed from 2011 and seen in tests as early as 2012, the PL-15 is one of China’s most advanced air-to-air missiles. It uses a dual-pulse rocket motor that provides an estimated range of up to 200 km in the domestic version, while the export version, the PL-15E, has a range of 145 km. The missile is equipped with an AESA seeker with both active and passive modes and bidirectional communication with the launching aircraft — technologies that offer increased precision and resistance to countermeasures.
This acquisition is seen as a game-changer in the regional strategic balance. Indian Rafale fighters use European Meteor missiles, which until now offered a range superiority over Pakistani aircraft. With the PL-15, Pakistan seeks to neutralize this advantage.
Sources and images: militarnyi / X @DGPR_PAF @OSPSF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
