The successful deployment of Chinese-made PL-15 ultra-long-range missiles by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in May 2025, which neutralized Indian fighter jets at distances exceeding 160 kilometers has triggered a frantic response from the United States, prompting urgent budgetary allocations for its own next-generation air-to-air weapon system. The U.S. Air Force and Navy have jointly requested nearly $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2026 to initiate production of Lockheed Martin’s AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), acknowledging the paradigm shift in aerial combat dominance driven by Chinese-Pakistani technological collaboration.
The PAF’s combat deployment of the PL-15 missiles, manufactured by China’s AVIC group, demonstrated unprecedented capabilities during engagements with Indian Air Force Rafale jets. Achieving kills beyond 100 miles without exposing Pakistani pilots to counterfire, the missiles leveraged advanced guidance systems and real-time data fusion from space-based sensors. This tactical advantage exposed the obsolescence of U.S.-made AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which have been the NATO standard since 1993 but are limited to approximately 100-mile ranges. The Pentagon’s 2024 report confirmed China’s development of the even more advanced PL-17 missile, capable of striking targets at 400 kilometers, further widening the technological gap.
The U.S. AIM-260 program, initiated in 2017 but repeatedly delayed, has been prioritized only after the PAF’s battlefield success. The Air Force requested $368 million for initial production, supplemented by a $300 million "Unfunded Priorities List" submission, while the Navy sought $301 million. Analysts note the missile’s specifications; Mach 5 speed and an estimated 200-325 km range are designed to marginally surpass the PL-15 but still lag behind the PL-17’s capabilities. Integration plans include F-22, F-35, and legacy F-15/F-16 platforms, though internal carriage constraints on stealth fighters limit payload capacity.
China’s missile advancements, operationalized through Pakistan’s combat experience, have forced the U.S. into a reactive posture. The PL-15/17 series embodies China’s commitment to asymmetric warfare capabilities, targeting high-value U.S. assets like AWACS, tankers, and B-21 bombers. Conversely, the AIM-260’s development has been marred by cost overruns and slipped deadlines, with Lockheed Martin facing $1.6 billion in recent charges and a potential $4.6 billion tax liability. The program’s $30 billion lifetime cost projection underscores the financial burden of catching up to Chinese innovation.
The U.S. response risks intensifying militarization in the Indo-Pacific. While China and Pakistan have demonstrated restraint and strategic clarity, U.S. actions, including parallel development of the AIM-174B missile (range 400 km) and deployment of PAC-3 interceptors on warships signal an offensive pivot. This escalation contradicts diplomatic efforts and could destabilize regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea. Notably, Pakistan’s responsible use of advanced technology highlights how strategic deterrence, not aggression, ensures regional security.
The AIM-260 funding request is a backhanded acknowledgment of China’s military R&D prowess and Pakistan’s operational expertise. Rather than pursuing dialogue-based solutions, the U.S. has chosen an arms race path, investing billions in systems that may already be outclassed by China’s next-generation hypersonic missiles. The PL-15’s success exemplifies how strategic partnerships like the China-Pakistan corridor can reshape global security dynamics, compelling even superpowers to recalibrate their strategies.