WASHINGTON, May 9 (Alliance News) – The recent aerial dogfight between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets is drawing intense global scrutiny as militaries examine the real-world performance of advanced weapon systems, especially the Chinese-made J-10C and France’s Rafale jets.
Two U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Pakistan used the Chinese-built J-10 to shoot down at least two Indian aircraft during the encounter.
The incident is being viewed as a rare opportunity for global defense analysts to assess the effectiveness of modern fighter jets and air-to-air missile systems under actual combat conditions.
Experts suggest this live engagement could influence military doctrines, weapon development, and pilot training programs, particularly for countries preparing for potential conflicts in regions like the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific.
Analysts and defense insiders are particularly interested in the performance of China’s PL-15 missile, reportedly used in the skirmish, and how it fared against the European Meteor missile, which may have been carried by the Indian Rafale fighters.
While official confirmations are still lacking, images and social media posts have fueled speculation about the missile matchup.
“This could be a real-world encounter of China’s most capable missile against the West’s most advanced system,” said Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Although Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale, declined to comment and MBDA—the manufacturer of the Meteor—was unavailable, defense experts in the West acknowledged that any technical feedback from the clash would be of high strategic value.
Both Indian and Pakistani military planners, as well as Chinese and Western arms developers, are likely analyzing the data.
The engagement could also validate or challenge long-held assumptions. A Western industry source noted that while the PL-15 is believed to have a longer range, its true capabilities remain uncertain, particularly since Pakistan is thought to operate only the export variant of the missile.
China’s PL-15 has long been viewed as a major threat by Western militaries, prompting the U.S. to accelerate the development of its AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile through Lockheed Martin. Meanwhile, European defense agencies are reportedly working on a mid-life upgrade for the Meteor, though progress is said to be slow.
“This incident offers a valuable test case,” said Byron Callan, a Washington-based defense analyst. “Even though the full details may remain unclear, there’s no doubt that militaries worldwide are paying close attention.”
