According to Military Bulgaria, China has recently urgently delivered PL-15 ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to Pakistan for equipping the JF-17 "Fighting Falcon" fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force. This news has drawn extensive attention from the outside world regarding the military balance in South Asia. Reports indicate that the delivered PL-15 missiles are not the export version PL-15E, but rather come from the internal inventory of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, demonstrating China's ability to provide advanced weapons to its allies at critical moments. Posts on Twitter praised China as a "gold standard" ally, emphasizing the rapidity and strategic weight of this action. Photos show a JF-17 Block III fighter jet carrying what appears to be a PL-15 missile, indicating that the Pakistan Air Force has begun integrating this advanced weapon. China's ability to deliver cutting-edge weapons at such speed reflects its strong defense industry and logistics capabilities. Relying on state-owned enterprises like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), it significantly improves weapon production efficiency, optimizes supply chains, enabling swift responses to allied needs. This capability challenges the traditional dominance of the US and Russia in the global arms market, similar to the agility shown by the US when quickly delivering Javelin missiles to Ukraine at the onset of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. The PL-15 missile, developed by the Luoyang Air-Air Missile Research Institute, is estimated to have a range exceeding 200 kilometers. Equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker and bi-directional data link, it enables precise targeting and mid-course corrections. Its dual-pulse solid rocket engine provides extended operational range, suitable for striking agile fighters, bombers, and high-value targets such as airborne early warning aircraft and tankers. The integration of PL-15 with the JF-17 Block III’s KLJ-7A AESA radar further enhances Pakistan's long-range engagement capabilities. By contrast, the primary beyond-visual-range missile used by the Indian Air Force has a range of only about 100 kilometers. The Meteor air-to-air missile equipped on India's Rafale fighters has a range of approximately 150 kilometers and features a ramjet engine, providing a larger no-escape zone. However, PL-15's potential longer range may give Pakistan an advantage in engagements. If the claims made by foreign media are true, the non-export version PL-15 may outperform the PL-15E, further widening the gap. The JF-17 Block III model was launched in 2020, featuring advanced avionics, a three-axis fly-by-wire system, and the KLJ-7A radar, capable of simultaneously tracking 15 targets and attacking four. The integration of PL-15 allows the JF-17 to threaten India's high-value assets, such as airborne early warning aircraft and tankers, from long distances, forcing India to reassess its air defense strategies. Despite the热议 triggered by photos on foreign social media, the scale and timing of the PL-15 delivery have yet to be officially confirmed, posing risks of exaggeration or misinformation. Another possibility exists that Pakistan may have deliberately released photos of earlier-delivered PL-15E missiles to deter India. Regardless of the facts, modern air combat outcomes are largely determined by the performance of air-to-air missiles and the radar capabilities of fighters. This gives Pakistan's light fighters an advantage over India's heavy fighters, while the PL-15 has the potential to create asymmetric advantages. Foreign media believes that if China's emergency delivery of PL-15 to Pakistan is indeed true, it will signify a significant shift in the balance of air power in South Asia. The PL-15 enhances the JF-17's long-range strike capabilities, possibly compelling the Indian Air Force to reassess its tactics, accelerate missile development, or procure externally. China's actions not only support its allies but also demonstrate its ambition to reshape the global security landscape. However, under the tense situation in Kashmir, this development may exacerbate the arms race. It would be wise for the Indian Air Force to proceed cautiously and avoid provoking hostilities, lest they fall behind in the competition for air superiority. Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498300385094894119/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author. Please express your opinions by clicking the "like" or "dislike" buttons below.