ISLAMABAD: China has reportedly begun operationalising the PL-16 long-rangeair-to-air missile on its fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter, marking asignificant leap in aerial combat technology. This development coincideswith persistent indications from Pakistan expressing interest in acquiringboth the J-35 platform and the advanced PL-16 missile system. The moveunderscores deepening Sino-Pakistani defence ties amid evolving regionalsecurity dynamics. Analysts suggest this integration could enhancebeyond-visual-range engagement capabilities, potentially reshaping airpower balances in South Asia.
The PL-16 represents an evolutionary upgrade over the widely deployed PL-15missile, which entered service around 2016. Designed with a more compactairframe and folded fins, the PL-16 allows stealth aircraft to carry sixmissiles internally compared to four PL-15s in the same weapons bay space.This optimisation addresses volume constraints in platforms like the J-20and J-35, ensuring maintained low-observable profiles during operations.Experts estimate the missile retains or exceeds the PL-15’s performance,including dual-pulse solid-fuel propulsion for extended range.
Estimates place the PL-16’s maximum engagement range between 220 and 300kilometres, depending on launch altitude and profile, surpassing thedomestic PL-15’s approximate 200-300 kilometres. The missile incorporatesan advanced active electronically scanned array seeker, two-way datalinkfor mid-course updates, and improved resistance to electroniccountermeasures. Such features enable effective targeting againstlow-observable threats and high-speed engagements, positioning it as a keyasset in modern air superiority missions.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force appears to have prioritised thePL-16 for its stealth fleet, with leaked materials from military seminarsindicating limited operational deployment on J-20 and J-35 variants. Thisfollows extensive testing phases, where the missile demonstrated superiorkinematic performance in compressed configurations. The integrationenhances the J-35’s multi-role potential, allowing it to dominateengagements from greater distances while preserving stealth characteristicsessential for penetrating contested airspace.
Pakistan’s interest in the PL-16 aligns with its longstanding pursuit ofadvanced air-to-air capabilities from China. Having successfully integratedthe PL-15E export variant on platforms like the JF-17 Block III and J-10C,Islamabad seeks further enhancements to counter regional aerial threats.Reports indicate discussions around equipping potential J-35 acquisitionswith long-range munitions such as the PL-16 or similar systems, building onproven performance in recent aerial encounters.
The J-35, an export-oriented variant of the FC-31 design, offerstwin-engine stealth configuration with internal weapons bays suitable forup to six beyond-visual-range missiles. Pakistan has shown consistentinterest since 2024, with announcements of preparations for acquisition andpilot training in China. While official confirmations remain cautious, withsome denials regarding immediate timelines, multiple sources point tonegotiations for up to 40 units, potentially with deliveries commencing inthe coming years.
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This prospective acquisition would complement Pakistan’s existing fleetmodernisation efforts, including J-10C squadrons equipped with advancedChinese systems. The combination of stealth platforms and extended-rangemissiles like the PL-16 could provide greater standoff engagement options,improving deterrence in high-threat environments. Defence analysts notethat such capabilities would enable saturation attacks and layered airdefence integration.
The broader implications extend to regional stability, as enhanced aerialreach influences strategic calculations. China’s rapid advancement inmissile technology, from the PL-15 to the more refined PL-16, reflects itscommitment to closing gaps with global leaders in air-to-air weaponry. ForPakistan, access to these systems reinforces the all-weather strategicpartnership, fostering technology transfer and joint development prospects.
Observers anticipate continued progress in Sino-Pakistani cooperation, withthe PL-16’s operationalisation serving as a catalyst for furtheracquisitions. This trajectory highlights the evolving nature of modernaerial warfare, where missile range, seeker sophistication, and platformstealth converge to define superiority.
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