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New version of China’s most advanced air-to-air missile the PL-15 is destined for export market
- Manufacturers say the missile will be able to strike manned and unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles from a range of more than 145km
- Military source says Pakistan will receive the new version of the missile, which travels at four times the speed of sound
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China has unveiled a version of its most powerful air-to-air missile designed for the export market at the Zhuhai air show.
In a post on Weibo on Monday, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China said the PL-15E “has the ability to attack manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles and other targets located more than 145km [90 miles] away”.
The medium to long-range missile can travel at four times the speed of sound and is powered by a dual-thrust, solid-fuel motor.
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Its attacking range makes it comparable to the Russian R-37 missile, which was designed specifically for the country’s MiG-31 heavyweight interceptors.
A source in the Chinese military said that the export variant will be exported to Pakistan, one of its closest international partners which has been described as “China’s iron brother”.
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The source also said that China is developing “more sophisticated air-to-air missiles,” but declined to disclose more information due to the sensitivity of the topic.
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