Research on the debris of the PL-15 has yielded great results, and the Indian military is excited to make a decision, which is now causing trouble!

After obtaining the PL-15 missile debris and studying it for almost half a year, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that it is developing an extended-range version of the Astra Mark 2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with a range exceeding 200 kilometers.

In May 2025, in a border farmland in India, missile debris with clear serial numbers and "guidance head test port" markings was quickly protected by India. This is the PL-15 medium-range air-to-air missile manufactured by China, a weapon launched by the Pakistan Air Force.

The active electronic scanning array guidance head at the front of the debris is clearly visible. This guidance head supports both active and passive dual-mode guidance, and has strong anti-electronic interference capabilities. The serial numbers and other markings on the missile debris provided rare technical reference samples for Indian military technicians.

It is said that Japan and the United States also contacted India immediately, requesting access to the debris for research. However, it seems that India refused the research applications from these two countries.

These physical evidence allowed Indian experts to analyze the dual-pulse rocket engine technology and bidirectional data link functions of the PL-15, which can achieve advanced tactics such as "launch and update targets."

After analyzing the PL-15 debris for several months, DRDO also accelerated the upgrade process of domestic missiles. The Astra Mark 2 project is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with its design range increasing from the initial planned 160 kilometers to over 200 kilometers.

The decision to equip the "Rafale" fighter jets with domestically produced missiles stems from dissatisfaction with existing weapon systems. The Indian Air Force believes that the "Mica" air-to-air missiles provided by France have a range of only 80 kilometers, lacking sufficient long-range firepower. Now this is causing trouble for the Pakistan Air Force.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846380624542794/

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