PL-15E The Amraam Imprint
The PL-15 is the cardinal feature of China’s air combat strategy. It achieves parity with BVRAAMs (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile) like MBDA Meteor (ramjet based) of Europe. It also matches the capabilities of the AMRAAM of the USA. The PL-15 has a dual pulse solid propellant rocket motor. Its speed allegedly exceeds Mach 5. It is said to achieve a high peak speed. This is unlike ramjet based meteor, which can sustain high speed throughout.
The PL-15E’s guidance system is said to be highly advanced. It likely has the ability to kill agile aerial targets between 200–300 km. (This range is 145 km in case of the PL-15E.) The PL-15E’s guidance system is equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) with Beidou satellite updates for initial and mid-course flight, further refined by a two-way datalink for real-time target adjustments and “lock-on after launch.” Its terminal phase uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar seeker (active/passive modes) for precise, jam-resistant, “fire-and-forget” targeting. The conventional cylindrical body with rear and mid-body fins is designed for high-speed, high-altitude flight. A variant with folding fins exists for internal stealth aircraft carriage. However, these aerodynamic optimizations do not negate inherent weaknesses.
Under the Indian Knife
Two nearly intact PL-15E BVRAAM were recovered 100km inland in Hoshiarpur, Punjab during Op Sindoor. Reportedly, they were fired from Chinese JF-17 fighters of PAF & failed to detonate. This points to potential flaws in its guidance algorithms or susceptibility to advanced electronic countermeasures (ECM). A senior DRDO official has also said that the PL-15E’s technological sophistication is inferior to India’s indigenous Astra Mk2. It is also inferior to the forthcoming Astra Mk3. He notes its reliance on comparatively older or less advanced components. These components have limited features worth infusing.
The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) is studying the motor’s dual pulse system. The focus remains on fuel composition. It also remains on thrust dynamics and end phase performance. Also, Research Centre Imarat (RCI) is reverse engineering the seeker. They aim to decode its radar algorithms. They are tackling tracking and countering ECM resistance. This endeavor will upgrade our own AESA radars. Apart from this, Datalink and Navigation too is under examination to look for any vulnerabilities worth exploiting.
Also read: Chinese PL-15E Missiles Found Intact in Punjab: Potential Boost for Indian EW Capabilities
Jackpot on the Radar
The near intact recovery offers a rare insight into Chinese missile tech. This has drawn interest from around the globe. In particular, it has caught the attention of the five-eyes alliance, who tried buttering their way into a deal. Some countries are interested in studying the arms export strategy. Countries like Japan and South Korea wish to study the seeker or ECCM. They are also interested in simply strengthening their ADS. While France, the supplier of meteor missile for Indian Rafales, aims to polish its edge over Chinese tech.
By analyzing the missile’s propulsion, guidance, and material components, India seeks to develop effective countermeasures against future regional conflicts. While this input is fruitful given the export and use by neighbour countries, it alone can’t determine China’s aerial might. There are inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM) like Dongfeng-41 in China’s possession as well. Dragons cannot ever be trusted, even by their best friends. It is definitely in our interest to keep an eye on their tech and exports. This is important given the recent geopolitical developments in Asia.
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