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Aerial Combat Observed
Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force perform during the Aero India 2021 air show held at Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru, India, on February 3, 2021. —Reuters
In a recent aerial engagement, Chinese-manufactured jets from Pakistan reportedly downed several Indian military aircraft, raising significant interest among military analysts aiming to glean strategic insights for future encounters.
According to two U.S. officials who spoke with Reuters, the clash marks a noteworthy development for Beijing’s advanced fighter jet technology. The confrontation provides a rare chance for military analysts to evaluate pilot performance, aircraft capabilities, and the effectiveness of air-to-air missiles during active combat, serving as a preparatory learning experience for other air forces worldwide.
Experts believe analysts from around the globe, including countries like China and the U.S., who are contemplating potential conflicts over Taiwan or in the broader Indo-Pacific region, will scrutinize this incident closely.
One U.S. source, who requested anonymity, indicated a strong belief that Pakistan utilized Chinese J-10 fighters to target Indian jets with air-to-air missiles. Social media discussions have particularly focused on the effectiveness of China’s PL-15 missile in comparison to the Meteor missile, developed by the European company MBDA, though there hasn’t been any official confirmation regarding the use of these specific weapons.
Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, commented, “Military aviation communities in the U.S., China, and several European nations will be keen to gather as much verified information as possible on tactics, equipment used, and their effectiveness.”
“The PL-15 represents a significant challenge. The U.S. military is paying close attention to it,” noted a defense industry executive. Both Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation and the MBDA consortium were unavailable for comment due to a public holiday in France.
Unclear Parameters
According to Western analysts and industry insiders, crucial specifics remain uncertain, including whether the Meteor missile was deployed and the level of training received by the pilots. Arms manufacturers also stress the importance of differentiating between technical and operational performance.
Byron Callan, a defense analyst in Washington, stated, “While there will be assessments of what functions effectively and what doesn’t, the complications introduced by chaotic circumstances of warfare must also be considered.”
U.S. defense contractors are consistently gathering feedback on their products from combat situations in Ukraine, and it is expected that India’s European suppliers will be doing the same. If the PL-15 missile performs as anticipated, this information would be highly valuable for Chinese military assessments.
A source from a Western defense firm indicated that a recent viral image showed a missile seeker that appeared to be from a missile that did not hit its target. Conflicting data about whether Pakistan has the domestic version of the PL-15 from the Chinese Air Force or a lower-range export variant released in 2021 complicates the picture.
Barrie expressed his suspicion that Pakistan most likely possesses the export model. A Western industry contact downplayed the notion that the PL-15 has a longer range than the Meteor missile but acknowledged that its capabilities might exceed earlier expectations. However, the Meteor’s range details have not been officially disclosed, leading to some uncertainty in evaluating its performance.
For years, the PL-15’s range and effectiveness have drawn attention from Western military circles, signaling China’s departure from its past reliance on Soviet-era technology. In response, the U.S. is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile through Lockheed Martin, aiming to compete with the PL-15’s long-range capabilities as part of a recalibrated focus on China.
European nations are also considering upgrades for the Meteor missile; however, progress on these enhancements has reportedly been slow. In March, former President Donald Trump awarded Boeing a contract to develop what is anticipated to be the most advanced fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force, incorporating stealth technology, advanced sensors, and state-of-the-art engines.
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