Introduction
A recent defense report has stirred global attention: Pakistan’s successful use of long-range Chinese-developed PL-15 missiles against Indian warplanes has forced the United States to accelerate its own next-generation missile development programs. According to Bloomberg, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) achieved a breakthrough when it successfully targeted Indian aircraft from a range of over 100 miles. Remarkably, during this operation, Pakistani fighter jets did not face any direct retaliatory threat, highlighting the effectiveness of modern beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile technology.
This event has not only shifted the balance of air power in South Asia but also sent ripples across the global defense landscape. The Pentagon now acknowledges that adversaries like China have fielded advanced long-range missiles, creating an urgent need for the US to maintain its air superiority. Consequently, the US Air Force and Navy have requested billions of dollars in funding for the development of the EIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) by defense giant Lockheed Martin.
Pakistan’s Use of the PL-15: A Turning Point in Regional Air Combat
The PL-15 Missile
The PL-15 is an advanced Chinese-developed long-range air-to-air missile (AAM) equipped with an active radar seeker and powered by a dual-pulse rocket motor. It is designed to engage enemy aircraft at distances exceeding 200 kilometers (approximately 124 miles), giving fighter jets a decisive edge in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat.
Key features of the PL-15 include:
- Range: Estimated between 200–300 km.
- Seeker: Active radar guidance system.
- Propulsion: Dual-pulse solid-fuel motor.
- Countermeasures: Advanced anti-jamming capabilities.
Pakistan’s Operational Success
According to the Bloomberg report, the Pakistan Air Force used the PL-15 to successfully lock onto and target Indian warplanes from over 100 miles away. Crucially, the Indian aircraft could not launch an effective counterattack, demonstrating the game-changing impact of missile range superiority.
This event mirrors the 2019 aerial skirmish between India and Pakistan, where both sides engaged in one of the most intense air battles in decades. Since then, both nations have prioritized modernizing their air arsenals. Pakistan’s adoption of Chinese missile technology has provided a significant leap in capability, putting pressure on India to seek similar advancements.
Global Impact: Why the US Is Concerned
Chinese Advancements with the PL-17
The Pentagon report highlights that China’s PL-17 missile, a next-generation version of the PL-15, has already been operational since 2023. The PL-17 boasts a staggering range of up to 400 kilometers (248 miles), more than doubling the engagement envelope of many Western missiles. This missile can target high-value assets such as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) and aerial refueling tankers, which are critical to sustaining modern air campaigns.
Implications for the US
The United States, which has long enjoyed air superiority through platforms like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, now faces a new challenge. The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile), the backbone of US air-to-air combat since 1993, no longer provides a sufficient range advantage against adversaries equipped with PL-15s or PL-17s.
This realization has prompted the Pentagon to accelerate the EIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) program, an effort to field a missile capable of countering Chinese and Russian advancements while also addressing lessons learned from Pakistan’s successful use of the PL-15.
The EIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile
Development Background
- Developer: Lockheed Martin, awarded the contract in August 2017.
- Project Goal: Replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM with a longer-range, stealth-compatible missile.
- Funding:
- US Air Force requested $368 million plus an additional $300 million.
- US Navy requested $301 million.
- Total investment already exceeds $350 million.
- Planned Service Date: Mid-to-late 2020s, though urgency may push for accelerated deployment.
Features and Advantages
The EIM-260 JATM is being designed with the following capabilities:
- Stealth Compatibility – Engineered to fit inside the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, maintaining low radar signatures.
- Extended Range – Expected to exceed the range of the AIM-120, putting it on par with or beyond the Chinese PL-15.
- Multi-Platform Integration – Planned compatibility not only with fifth-generation jets but also with legacy fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and even unmanned combat drones.
- Improved Seeker Technology – Likely to incorporate advanced seekers with stronger electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities.
Air Power Balance in South Asia
Pakistan’s Strategic Gain
For Pakistan, the successful use of the PL-15 provides more than just a tactical edge—it strengthens its strategic deterrence against India. By demonstrating the ability to strike enemy aircraft from extended ranges, Pakistan sends a clear message that it can neutralize threats before they come close enough to inflict damage.
India’s Position
India, on the other hand, has been heavily investing in both indigenous missile systems and foreign acquisitions. Its Astra missile program, developed domestically, aims to provide a homegrown solution to match the PL-15. India is also exploring partnerships with Russia for advanced missile systems, such as potential upgrades to the R-37M long-range missile, used by Russian Su-35 and MiG-31 jets.
The Regional Equation
The success of Pakistan’s PL-15 use against India creates an immediate challenge for New Delhi, but the broader impact is on global military strategy. By showing that advanced Chinese missiles can be effectively integrated and operationalized in combat scenarios, Pakistan has indirectly highlighted China’s role as a global missile supplier—and the threat it poses to US air dominance.
Expert Opinions
Defense analysts have weighed in on the implications of this development:
- Dr. Samuel Greene, Defense Analyst (US):
“Pakistan’s success demonstrates that the age of uncontested Western missile dominance is over. The PL-15 has proven itself operationally, and the PL-17 could be a game-changer. The US has no choice but to accelerate its next-generation missile programs.” - Air Marshal (Retd.) Tariq Mahmood, Pakistan Air Force:
“Long-range missile capability changes the equation entirely. Pakistan now has the confidence that its aircraft can engage from beyond enemy retaliation zones. This is a major achievement in deterrence.” - Radhika Menon, Indian Strategic Affairs Expert:
“For India, the challenge is immediate. The regional balance of power has shifted, and there is now significant pressure on New Delhi to fast-track the Astra program and secure foreign missile deals to restore parity.”
The Future of Air-to-Air Combat
Beyond-Visual-Range Warfare
Modern aerial warfare is increasingly defined by BVR engagements rather than traditional dogfights. Missiles like the PL-15, PL-17, and future JATM ensure that conflicts are decided long before opposing pilots can even see each other.
Integration with Next-Gen Fighters
As fifth-generation fighters dominate the skies, stealth combined with long-range missile capability will decide air superiority. The F-22 and F-35 will rely heavily on JATM to stay relevant, while Chinese aircraft such as the J-20 stealth fighter will continue deploying PL-series missiles.
AI and Drones in Missile Warfare
The future battlefield may also see artificial intelligence-controlled drones carrying these missiles, further extending the reach and survivability of manned aircraft.
Conclusion
The success of Pakistan’s missile strike using the PL-15 has done more than alter the air power balance in South Asia—it has triggered a strategic response from the United States, the world’s leading air power. With China fielding the even more advanced PL-17, and Pakistan proving the operational viability of Chinese missile technology, the pressure is on the US and its allies to develop the next generation of air-to-air missiles.
The EIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) represents America’s answer to this challenge. With billions in funding and accelerated timelines, the program aims to restore US air dominance against new threats.
Ultimately, the episode underscores a key reality: in modern aerial warfare, missile technology—not just fighter aircraft—defines superiority. Pakistan’s achievement has not only shifted South Asia’s strategic balance but has also reshaped the trajectory of global air combat innovation.
