In the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and India, the recent aerial clash has turned the tide in favor of Pakistan, surprising many experts who initially predicted a different outcome.
The battle, which took place on May 7, 2025, saw Pakistan achieving significant air victories, with its Chinese-made PL-15 missiles reportedly downing five Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, including some of their most advanced jets.
Pakistan’s use of the Chinese PL-15, an active radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile, has proven to be a game-changer. The PL-15, which was mounted on Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10CE fighters, engaged and destroyed a number of high-value targets, including three French-built Rafale jets, one Su-30MKI, and a MiG-29.
These aircraft were part of the IAF’s most advanced fleet, and their loss represents a major blow to India’s military capabilities.
The PL-15 is a powerful weapon designed for beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat. It has been equipped on both the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Block III and J-10CE fighters.
Known for its ability to engage long-range targets, the PL-15 is capable of taking down airborne early warning systems, tankers, and advanced fighters. Its long-range capabilities, high speed, and precision make it comparable to the Anglo-French MBDA Meteor missile and the U.S. AIM-120D AMRAAM.
The use of Chinese defense technology by Pakistan has turned the tables in this conflict, especially as India had been widely assumed to have the upper hand with its larger military forces and more advanced weapons systems.
While the conflict is still in its early stages, Pakistan’s success in downing five IAF jets signals that the country is prepared to escalate the conflict if necessary, and it serves as a reminder to the West of the growing power of Chinese military technology.
This clash also serves as a warning to the U.S. and its allies regarding the sophistication of Chinese missile systems, which are now in active use by Pakistan.
The success of the PL-15 missiles in this conflict may have broader implications for the global balance of power, particularly as the U.S. and China continue to compete for dominance in various regions, including the Pacific.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that Pakistan’s strategic use of Chinese technology has shifted the dynamics of this ongoing conflict, with the balance of power now more uncertain than ever before.
