In a striking demonstration of military prowess, India’s armed forces have showcased their technological capabilities during Operation Sindoor, responding to Pakistan’s provocations following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Among the highlights of this operation was India’s successful neutralization of Pakistan’s Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles.
The PL-15E missile, an export variant of China’s advanced PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), is designed for long-range aerial combat. It boasts a range of approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles), which is notably shorter than its Chinese counterpart that can reach up to 300 kilometers. The missile can exceed speeds of Mach 5 (over 6,100 km/h) and employs a dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket motor, allowing for rapid acceleration. Equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker, the PL-15E is engineered for precise targeting, though its effectiveness is somewhat hampered by its limited range compared to India’s Meteor missile used in Rafale jets.
During Operation Sindoor 2.0, Pakistan reportedly launched PL-15E missiles at various Indian military targets, including airbases in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. However, India’s air defense systems, particularly the Russian-made S-400 Triumf, played a crucial role in countering these threats. The S-400 system, with its long-range radar capable of detecting targets up to 450 kilometers away, was instrumental in spotting the fast-moving missiles early on.
India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and air defense grid utilized advanced radar, radio frequency sensors, and optical cameras to monitor 1,800 kilometers of airspace, effectively detecting incoming missiles and drones. The S-400’s interceptors were deployed to destroy the PL-15E missiles mid-flight, demonstrating India’s capacity to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Furthermore, India’s advanced jammers, like the APSJ pod, were reportedly effective in disrupting the guidance systems of the PL-15E missiles, potentially reducing their hit probability by nearly 90%. After neutralizing the missile threats, India launched counterstrikes using Israeli-made HARPY drones to disable Pakistan’s air defense radars, including a key installation in Lahore. This multi-layered defense strategy not only neutralized the immediate threats but also sent a strong message regarding India’s readiness and technological superiority.
Pakistan has been actively building its stockpile of PL-15E missiles as part of a $1.4 billion deal that included 240 missiles and 20 J-10CE jets. The cost of each PL-15E missile is estimated to be around $1 million, leading to a total expenditure of approximately $240–300 million for Pakistan. Despite this significant investment, experts suggest that Pakistan’s inventory may not be sufficient for a prolonged conflict, especially given India’s larger air force, which includes around 1,900 aircraft such as Rafales and Su-30MKIs.
On May 8, 2025, a fully intact PL-15 missile was recovered in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, believed to have been fired from a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 fighter jet. This incident occurred shortly after India conducted targeted strikes on multiple Pakistani cities, including Lahore and Peshawar, in retaliation for Pakistan’s drone strikes on Indian military sites. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that no casualties or material losses were reported during these operations, emphasizing India’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
In the hours following the recovery of the missile, videos surfaced showing the missile, which had failed to detonate, being examined by defense personnel and local authorities. BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya confirmed via social media that the missile was clearly launched from a PAF jet, most likely a JF-17. The incident was part of a broader context of military escalation between the two nations, with India’s armed forces effectively neutralizing all incoming threats using its integrated air defense infrastructure.
Earlier that week, India had also destroyed Pakistan's air defense systems in Lahore as part of its counter-offensive under Operation Sindoor. The Indian armed forces targeted various locations, neutralizing air defense radars and systems, thus reinforcing their operational capabilities.
India's air response involved a range of defensive assets, including Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), Pechora missiles, SAMAR systems, and air defense guns. The army deployed L-70 guns, Schilka systems, and Zu-23mm weapons in coordinated anti-drone operations across several regions, successfully neutralizing over 50 Pakistani drones in the process.
Since 2014, India has significantly bolstered its air defense architecture by acquiring advanced systems such as the Russian S-400 Triumf, Barak-8 MR-SAMs, and Akash missiles. The strategic deployment of these systems during the current crisis has reinforced India’s ability to dominate its airspace amid rising tensions with Pakistan.
The recent recovery of the undetonated PL-15 missile in Hoshiarpur marks a significant moment in this ongoing conflict, as it highlights the escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for further conflict and the importance of maintaining robust defensive capabilities.
Looking ahead, the developments in Operation Sindoor not only underscore India’s growing defense capabilities but also raise questions about Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese arms technology. While the PL-15E missile represents a formidable threat, India’s successful countermeasures demonstrate a strategic advantage that Pakistan may struggle to overcome in future confrontations.
