India loses top fighter jet – bad news for its future air combat

Three advanced French Rafale fighters downed as Pakistan fires Chinese missiles from its Chinese-Pakistani J-10 jets

by Stephen Bryen   May 9, 2025 

2▶ The PL-15 is China’s answer to the US AIM-120D AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile) which is an all-weather, beyond-visual-range missile. It has a range of 200 to 300 km (124 to 186 miles), although the export version is 145 km (90 miles). It is assumed Pakistan has the export model. The PL-15 is pretty fast. Once launched, its speed is around Mach-5 (6,173 kph or 3,836 mph).

By way of contrast, the French MICA air to air missile has a significantly shorter range, around 60 to 80 km (37 to 50 miles). Thus the Chinese PL-15 as a stand-off weapon has a significant advantage. That seems to have paid off in the recent encounter.

• Two versions of French MICA air to air missile
• The US Air Force has put most of its bets on two capabilities:

stealth for platforms such as the F-22 and F-35, and

long-range interdiction with air-to-air missiles in warfare described as “beyond visual range.”

Consequently, fighters such as the F-35 have traded off maneuverability to emphasize stealth, and have long-range air-to-air missiles to support BVR encounters.▶4