The recent confrontation between Pakistan and India left behind a wealth of material to analyze, particularly in the aerial domain, where Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets and their long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles may have emerged as the big winners of this brief yet complex conflict.
Despite the lingering effects of the fog of war—compounded by an intense information warfare campaign led by both sides—there are indications that the Pakistani pairing of the J-10CE and PL-15 performed with high effectiveness against India’s aerial assets.
Multiple sources have indicated that the Indian Air Force may have suffered at least five shootdowns during the recent clashes, some of which are believed to have been carried out by J-10CE fighters equipped with PL-15 missiles. Among the most notable victories is the alleged downing of at least three French-made Rafale multirole fighters, with wreckage of the aircraft reportedly recovered. While no official confirmation has been provided beyond statements, it remains unclear whether the losses were due to the Chinese-origin pairing, Pakistani air defense systems, or other factors.
The involvement of Pakistan’s J-10CE jets and PL-15 missiles in the air battles was initially supported by the discovery of debris from the Chinese-made missiles in various locations across India. According to reports that have emerged in recent days, both air forces operated strictly within their own airspace, which has resulted in wreckage and missile fragments being found in limited, localized areas—often subject to censorship by local authorities.
The performance of the J-10CE and PL-15 has also drawn comments from officials in countries such as France and the United States, who suggested that the Chinese pairing could have been responsible for some of the Rafale losses. While no concrete confirmation has followed, the remarks highlight how Western powers closely monitored the aerial engagements—alongside China itself.
Although it remains impossible to confirm the exact losses suffered by either side, the recent Pakistan-India clash has brought renewed attention to Chinese aerospace technology, especially in a theater where it faced a capable adversary equipped with advanced Western-made weapon systems, such as the Rafale.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: AVIC
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