China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Introduction:

The news topic “China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.

Quick Summary:

• A PL-15 active-radar-guided air-to-air missile is believed to have been used by Pakistan in the recent air war with India. Images of the wreckage of the missile have been circulating on social media. Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft, while Indian officials point to the crash of at least two aircraft. A French official has reportedly confirmed the loss of one of the Indian Air Force’s prized Rafale multirole fighters. Regardless, the fighting between the two nuclear-armed states is the most intense for decades, now with the growing risk of the situation spiraling further. The identity of the weapon can’t be verified beyond doubt at this point, but a PL- 15 seems most likely. The missile uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, with active and passive modes, and is said to provide better resistance to countermeasures.
• Pakistan has employed the Chinese-made PL-15E very long-range air-to-air missile in combat for the first time. This event was confirmed when Indian authorities recovered debris from aPL-15 missile in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, amid what could be India’s heaviest air losses since 1971. As of early 2025, Pakistan’s fleet includes approximately 45 to 50 JF-17 Block III aircraft and 20 J-10CEs, amounting to around 65 to 70 fighter jets capable of launching the PL- 15E. Older JF -17 Block I and II aircraft, which total around 100 units, use mechanical KLJ-7 radars and are not compatible with the PL -15E. The operational scope of PL-14E deployment is therefore limited, and reports from 2024 have suggested that additional deliveries of the missile may be constrained.
• Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft. Indian officials point to the crash of at least two aircraft. French official confirms loss of one of the Indian Air Force’s prized Rafale multirole fighters. Image purports to show the missile seeker from the PL-15, which uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, with active and passive modes, and which is said to provide better resistance to countermeasures than previous Chinese AAMs. Whether the missile in question successfully brought down a target is unclear. Regardless, the fighting between the two nuclear-armed states is the most intense for decades, now with the growing risk of the situation spiraling further. The identity of the weapon can’t be verified beyond doubt at this point, but aPL-15 seems most likely.

Country-by-Country Breakdown:

Original Coverage

A PL-15 active-radar-guided air-to-air missile is believed to have been used by Pakistan in the recent air war with India. Images of the wreckage of the missile have been circulating on social media. Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft, while Indian officials point to the crash of at least two aircraft. A French official has reportedly confirmed the loss of one of the Indian Air Force’s prized Rafale multirole fighters. Regardless, the fighting between the two nuclear-armed states is the most intense for decades, now with the growing risk of the situation spiraling further. The identity of the weapon can’t be verified beyond doubt at this point, but a PL- 15 seems most likely. The missile uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, with active and passive modes, and is said to provide better resistance to countermeasures. Read full article

Pakistan’s first combat use of Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missiles confirmed after debris found in India

Pakistan has employed the Chinese-made PL-15E very long-range air-to-air missile in combat for the first time. This event was confirmed when Indian authorities recovered debris from aPL-15 missile in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, amid what could be India’s heaviest air losses since 1971. As of early 2025, Pakistan’s fleet includes approximately 45 to 50 JF-17 Block III aircraft and 20 J-10CEs, amounting to around 65 to 70 fighter jets capable of launching the PL- 15E. Older JF -17 Block I and II aircraft, which total around 100 units, use mechanical KLJ-7 radars and are not compatible with the PL -15E. The operational scope of PL-14E deployment is therefore limited, and reports from 2024 have suggested that additional deliveries of the missile may be constrained. Read full article

China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time

Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft. Indian officials point to the crash of at least two aircraft. French official confirms loss of one of the Indian Air Force’s prized Rafale multirole fighters. Image purports to show the missile seeker from the PL-15, which uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, with active and passive modes, and which is said to provide better resistance to countermeasures than previous Chinese AAMs. Whether the missile in question successfully brought down a target is unclear. Regardless, the fighting between the two nuclear-armed states is the most intense for decades, now with the growing risk of the situation spiraling further. The identity of the weapon can’t be verified beyond doubt at this point, but aPL-15 seems most likely. Read full article

BREAKING: China’s PL-15 air-to-air missile made combat debut

Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missile found in India. First documented use of advanced weapon in combat. Comes amid escalating conflict between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. Presence of Chinese weaponry in the conflict raises urgent questions about the shifting balance of power in South Asia and Beijing’s growing role in the region. The find, reported on May 7, 2025, comes amid a fierce exchange of missile strikes and airstrikes, triggered by a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir two weeks earlier. Indian forces fired precision missiles, including SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs, targeting nine alleged terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Indian authorities insisted the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” avoiding Pakistani civilian or military targets. Read full article

Did Pakistan just use most advanced Chinese missile to shoot down Indian jets?

Pakistan says it shot down five Indian military aircraft, including the advanced Rafale jets, during the cross-border engagement. India has not confirmed the downing of its jets, but reports quoting local officials say a few aircraft crashed on the side of India-administered Kashmir. The incident has put the spotlight on Pakistan’s JF-17 jets that were recently equipped with China’s most advanced long-range air-to-air PL-15 missiles. This would be the first time this long-distance missile was used in a live combat, says Khalid Chishti, a former PAF air commodore and fighter pilot. The PL- 15E is the export version and has a range of 145 km, while the J-17s have a 200-kilometre range. The missile has a longer range than Meteor missiles, which India’s Rafale fighter jets carry. Read full article

Pakistan Air Force showcases advanced Chinese weapons as tensions escalate with India

The PL-15 is China’s most advanced fighter-to-fighter missile. It is reported to have an engagement range of 200km to 300km (125-185 miles) The video comes amid spiralling tensions with India following a terrorist attack in Kashmir last month that killed 26 people. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for the incident, but Islamabad has denied any links to the attackers. However, military analysts also said Pakistan’s biggest advantage was likely to lie in the Chinese-made active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system fitted to the JF-17. Read full article

Global Perspectives Summary:

Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Sources:

• Original Article
• Pakistan’s first combat use of Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missiles confirmed after debris found in India
• China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time
• BREAKING: China’s PL-15 air-to-air missile made combat debut
• Did Pakistan just use most advanced Chinese missile to shoot down Indian jets?
• Pakistan Air Force showcases advanced Chinese weapons as tensions escalate with India

Source: https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-pl-15-air-to-air-missile-appears-to-have-been-used-in-combat-for-first-time