The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is upgrading India’s Astra Mark‑2 missile with advanced features after recovering a Chinese PL-15 missile that failed to explode during Operation Sindoor in May. The missile, fired by a Pakistani JF-17 or J-10C fighter, landed intact in a field near Hoshiarpur, Punjab, about 100 kilometres inside Indian territory, providing a rare opportunity for Indian defence scientists to study its technology.
Officials said the PL-15E, an export variant with a 145 km range, lacks a self-destruct mechanism, unlike Indian missiles, and includes advanced capabilities such as a miniature AESA radar, high-speed propulsion exceeding Mach 5, and sophisticated anti-jamming systems. “We are incorporating the radar and other key technologies into Astra Mark‑2 to enhance its performance and survivability,” a source involved in the programme told Hindustan Times.
The missile’s recovery came after Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. Defence officials noted that India’s own weapons, including BrahMos, Rampage, and SCALP, performed effectively during the operation, but the study of the PL-15 has prompted further improvements. Plans are underway to acquire additional Meteor missiles for Rafale jets and develop a next-generation BrahMos with an 800 km range, allowing Indian aircraft to strike from safe distances.
The evolving security situation, including Pakistan’s acquisition of PL-17 missiles, kamikaze drones, and Chinese HQ-9 air defence systems, has prompted a strategic shift in Indian planning. Sources told HT that future operations will likely see fighters operating outside enemy air defence ranges, launching long-range supersonic missiles designed to overcome radar systems.
Officials also highlighted ongoing concerns about ceasefire violations, noting that Pakistan fired armed drones and rockets in Jammu and Rajasthan even after a ceasefire was communicated on May 10. Similar violations occurred recently in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, despite a 48-hour no-fire agreement with the Taliban. Indian authorities indicated that while forces did not retaliate on May 10, future violations would not be tolerated.
A DRDO source told HT, “The PL-15 recovery has given us a unique chance to learn from foreign technology and strengthen our air-to-air capabilities. It will directly feed into improving Astra Mark‑2 and ensuring our strategic edge in the region.”
