Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:06am on 07 Feb 2026,Saturday Defence
During the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict (Operation Sindoor), a Chinese-made PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile fired by Pakistan’s Air Force reportedly landed nearly intact inside Punjab, India, without detonating. The surprise recovery of the advanced export variant of China’s long-range missile has drawn intense attention: analysts say its AESA radar seeker, guidance systems and propulsion tech could provide rare insights into Chinese military capability and weaknesses, sparking a quiet technological re-evaluation within China’s defence community. The incident highlights evolving aerial combat tech and intelligence stakes in South Asia. (PC: X)
