In a rare intelligence breakthrough, India&rsquo;s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has analysed an unexploded Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missile recovered from Punjab and decided to incorporate its advanced features into the indigenous Astra Mark-2 programme. The missile, fired by a Pakistani jet during Operation Sindoor in May, failed to self-destruct and landed intact near Hoshiarpur offering Indian scientists an unexpected technological windfall.
According to defence officials, the PL-15E&rsquo;s miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, powerful propellant enabling speeds beyond Mach 5, and advanced anti-jamming systems stood out as remarkable. DRDO now plans to co-opt these elements into Astra-II, enhancing range, guidance, and radar resistance capabilities for future aerial engagements.
The recovery has come at a time of intensifying regional competition. Pakistan, rattled by the precision of India&rsquo;s Operation Sindoor, is reportedly seeking longer-range Chinese PL-17 missiles, Turkish kamikaze drones, and other advanced weaponry to modernise its arsenal. Meanwhile, India continues strengthening its air deterrence with additional Meteor missiles for Rafales and the development of an 800-km range BrahMos variant extending strike capability across Pakistan&rsquo;s breadth.
Officials noted that despite a declared ceasefire on May 10, Pakistan carried out multiple drone and rocket attacks in Jammu and Rajasthan sectors. India, which withheld retaliation then, is unlikely to show similar restraint in the future, signalling a shift in its post-ceasefire doctrine.

India’s Astra-II to Adopt Tech from China’s PL-15

DRDO to integrate advanced radar and propulsion from recovered Chinese missile

India’s Astra-II to Adopt Tech from China’s PL-15

DRDO to integrate advanced radar and propulsion from recovered Chinese missile

October 18, 2025 | 10:16 IST