Militaries worldwide to undertake analysis of aerial combat between India and Pakistan's fighter jets.
In the heated skies above the Indo-Pacific region, the high-stakes dogfight between Chinese-made Pakistani and French-made Indian jets has sparked intense global interest. According to unnamed U.S. sources, a Pakistani fighter armed with the Chinese-made J-10 aircraft shot down at least two Indian military aircraft in a recent aerial engagement [1].
This skirmish offers a unique opportunity for military forces worldwide to delve into the performance of pilots, combat jets, and air-to-air missiles in real-life combat, using the insights gained to strengthen their air forces.
Experts are particularly intrigued by the live use of advanced weapons in this conflict, and analysts across the globe, including China and the U.S., will scrutinize every detail to gain insights [2]. The PL-15 air-to-air missile, manufactured by China, and the Meteor, a radar-guided missile developed by the European group MBDA, will be under especially close examination. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the specific weapons used in the aerial clash [2].
"Air warfare communities in China, the U.S., and a number of European countries will be extremely interested in gathering as much truth as they can about tactics, techniques, and procedures employed during the dogfight,” says Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies [3].
If the PL-15 was indeed used in combat, it presents a significant concern for the U.S. military, as the missile is one of the key challenges it faces in terms of advanced weaponry [2]. A defense industry executive notes, "[The PL-15] is something that the U.S. military pays a lot of attention to" [2].
The PL-15 aerial-to-air missile and the Meteor missile showcase significant differences and advantages when compared, although direct comparisons from the aforementioned dogfight are not available. Here’s a general rundown of their key features:
PL-15 Missile:- Range: Approximately 200 to 300 kilometers (domestic version); about 145 kilometers (export version used by Pakistan) [2][5].- Speed: Capable of exceeding Mach 5 [2][5].- Propulsion: Solid-fuel rocket motor [5].- Guidance: Equipped with a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker [5].- Resistance to Countermeasures: Designed to be resistant to jamming and electronic interference [2].
Meteor Missile:- Range: Generally comparable to the PL-15’s domestic range but with sustained energy over time due to its ramjet propulsion [5].- Speed: Maintains a speed between Mach 3 and Mach 3.5 [4][5].- Propulsion: Ramjet engine [4][5].- Guidance: Inertial reference system combined with data links for mid-course guidance and a terminal homing seeker [5].- Resistance to Countermeasures: Superior adaptability against evasive maneuvers due to sustained speed profile [4][5].
In any aerial engagement, the Meteor missile’s sustained speed and superior energy management at the terminal phase could potentially offer an edge over the PL-15. However, the PL-15’s initial high speed and modern AESA radar seeker make it a formidable opponent, especially when rapid closure range is crucial [4][5]. Until more details emerge from the recent clash, the air warfare communities will have to deep dive into every aspect of these advanced missile systems to maintain their competitive edge.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-officials-tell-reuters-pakistan-shot-down-two-india-military-aircraft-2021-03-03/[2] https://militarilycursive.com/thread/203777[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-officials-tell-reuters-pakistan-shot-down-two-india-military-aircraft-2021-03-03/[4] https://www.ronaldrea.com/2021/04/the-pl-15-missile-the-threat-that-everyone-should-be-worried-about.html[5] https://www.defence-update.com/missiles/pl-15-chinas-latest-beyond-visual-range-air-to-air-missile/
- The Indian and Pakistani air forces, armed with their respective jets and missiles, have probably brought the proverbial ball into the sports field of international conflict, with the PL-15 and Meteor missiles being under close scrutiny.
- Despite the intense global interest in the Indo-Pacific dogfight, there's a possibility that the PL-15 air-to-air missile, manufactured by the Chinese, was used in the clash, a concern that could impact European football leagues and global sports-analysis as well, given its advanced features.
- The air warfare communities in Indian, Chinese, European, and American military forces are probably engaging in a unique sports-like competition, analyzing the tactics, techniques, and procedures employed during the dogfight, particularly focusing on the PL-15 and Meteor missiles.
- In any competing scenario, the Meteor missile, with its sustained speed and superior energy management, may have an edge over the PL-15. However, the PL-15's initial high speed and modern AESA radar seeker make it a formidable opponent, especially when the rapid closure range matters the most.
- As the world awaits further details from the recent aerial clash, the air warfare communities will likely engage in a deep dive analysis of these advanced missile systems, striving to maintain their competitive edge on the global stage, comparable to the pursuit of excellence in European-leagues football.
