Pakistan's shooting down of Indian jets with Chinese missiles spurs US to seek new missiles
The United States Air Force and Navy are seeking funding to
acquire the next-generation Lockheed Martin AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical
Missile, following reports that Pakistan successfully downed Indian fighter
jets — including Rafales — using Chinese-made long-range air-to-air missiles
earlier this year, Bloomberg reported Friday.
According to budget documents, the two services have
requested close to $1 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, beginning October 1, to
start production of the classified system. The Air Force, which is leading the
missile’s development, has asked for $368 million for its initial production
run, along with another $300 million listed in its annual “Unfunded Priorities
List” to Congress. The Navy, meanwhile, has requested $301 million.
Read More Reuters
report divulges the strategy employed by PAF to shoot down Indian jets
The development of long-range, air-launched weapons gained
international attention in May, when Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets reportedly
used Chinese PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles to strike Indian aircraft
from more than 100 miles away, avoiding return fire.
The clash followed an Indian Air Force (IAF) missile strike
inside Pakistani cities that killed civilians. In response, the PAF shot down
six Indian aircraft on the night of May 6–7, including French-built Rafale
fighters. During a May 11 press briefing, Indian Air Marshal A.K. Bharti
acknowledged aircraft losses, remarking only that “losses are part of combat.”
The Pentagon has also noted China’s rapid progress in
long-range missile technology. Its 2024 report on Chinese military power stated
that Beijing had likely declared the PL-17 operational in 2023 — a weapon
believed to have a striking range of up to 400 kilometres (248 miles).
Read More PAF
credits No. 15 Squadron ‘Cobras’ with six IAF kills in major aerial battle
Bloomberg, citing the US Air Force, said the AIM-260 would
surpass current US air-to-air missiles in range and adaptability, while
remaining compatible with F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, as well as legacy
F-16 and F-15 aircraft.
Source: The Current