A new image shows China's J-16 fighter jet equipped with 8 PL-15 and 2 P-10 missiles, dubbed 'Beast Mode.' Analysts see this as a display of the PLAAF's focus on maximizing firepower and sustained air-combat capability, transforming the J-16 into a long-range 'missile truck.'
The US Air Force is developing the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW) program, aiming for a next-generation air-launched standoff missile with a minimum range of 1,850 km. This ambitious project, driven by the vast distances of the Pacific and China's missile advancements, will be discussed at a closed-door meeting with defense industry representatives in August 2026 at Eglin AFB.
China is reportedly developing its next-generation PL-16 air-to-air missile, a successor to the PL-15 which serves as the backbone of its air force. The development comes amid the US's own advancements with the AIM-260 missile.
India's DRDO successfully completed final trials of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes. The missile, developed entirely within India's domestic defense ecosystem, demonstrated anti-tank and airborne target strike capabilities, marking a milestone for self-reliance in defense.
The US is developing the AIM-260 JATM missile, exceeding Mach 5 with a range over 200 km, to counter China's PL-15 and PL-17. India is also advancing its Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 missiles, aiming for similar long-range capabilities.
Russia has approved the export of approximately 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to India in a US$1.2 billion deal. Deliveries could begin within 12 to 18 months, coinciding with India's development of its own Astra Mk 2 and Mk 3 missiles. The R-37M has an operational range of 300-400 km and can travel at six times the speed of sound.
