News Brief
Chinese HQ-9B, HQ-16 Air Defences and PL-15 Missiles Failed To Counter Indian Aerial Onslaught In Pakistan During Operation Sindoor: Report
Representative Image
Chinese-origin missile and radar systems deployed by Pakistan were unable to prevent Indian precision strikes during Operation Sindoor earlier this month, ThePrint has reported, citing sources in the Indian defence and security establishment.
According to the report, India’s use of loitering munitions such as Harpy and Harop effectively neutralised Chinese-supplied HQ-9B long-range and HQ-16 medium-range air defence systems positioned across key Pakistani military bases.
These platforms, considered among China’s flagship exports, were reportedly bypassed or destroyed in targeted attacks.
"Several Chinese-supplied HQ-9B long-range air defence systems and HQ-16 medium-range air defence systems were taken out by Harpy and Harop loitering munitions," the report said.
The report also states that the much-publicised PL-15 Chinese air-to-air missile “could not score a single hit,” even as Indian Air Force (IAF) assets conducted operations across multiple fronts.
The PL-15, China's advanced long-range air-to-air missile, is designed for beyond-visual-range engagements with a reported range of 145-300 km.
Remnants of a PL-15 missile were reportedly found intact in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, providing India with potential insights into its design and capabilities
The episode marks a major operational embarrassment for China’s defence export credibility, especially as its systems were tested—and reportedly failed—during an active combat situation.
The IAF reportedly fired missiles including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (IAF has both air and land versions), SCALP long-range air-to-ground missiles, Hammer air-to-ground missiles, Rampage air-to-ground missiles and Spice 2000 among others.
The Indian strikes at specific sites "caused wide range damage to Pakistani military forces that forced them to seek ceasefire on the fourth day itself,” a source was quoted as saying in The Print report.
Citing a retired PAF Air Marshal, the report said that one of the most critical hits was delivered at the Bholari air base, where one of the Pakistan Air Force's Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control system was reportedly destroyed.
Pakistani authorities have acknowledged some casualties, though the extent of the damage to other airbases remains under wraps.
India also carried out hits on PAF bases in Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad.
Despite initially rejecting India’s outreach for DGMO-level talks on 7 May, Pakistan’s military establishment made urgent contact by 10 May, seeking a ceasefire after suffering repeated hits.
Indian officials quoted in the report claim that the strikes conveyed a “clear message” that India could carry out conventional attacks anywhere in Pakistan, and at scale.
