After a thorough technical analysis of an unexploded missile fired by a Pakistani jet during Operation Sindoor in May, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has chosen to integrate cutting-edge features from the Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missile into its domestic Astra Mark-2 program, according to people with knowledge of the situation.On May 9, the PL-15E missile was found in a field close to Hoshiarpur, Punjab, completely undamaged. This was a unique intelligence opportunity for Indian defence scientists.According to persons with knowledge of the situation who wished to remain anonymous, the export version of China's sophisticated beyond-visual-range missile, which has a 145-kilometer range, was discovered unexploded because it lacked a self-destruct mechanism, in contrast to all Indian air-to-air missiles.The retrieval took place during Operation Sindoor, India's concerted military response to the terror incident in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation began on May 7. The missile landed about 100 km within Indian territory after failing to engage its target. It is thought that the missile was fired from a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 or J-10C aircraft.One of the individuals cited above stated that although DRDO has not commented on the study report it sent to the defence ministry, the investigation has found a number of superior qualities in the Chinese weapon. These include strong anti-jamming capabilities and a tiny active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with upgraded propellant that can maintain speeds higher than Mach 5. India's in-house Astra missile development program is integrating all of these developments, especially the radar technology.According to another source with knowledge of the situation, Pakistan is looking to expand its arsenal in the wake of Operation Sindoor. According to reports, the Pakistan Air Force has sent a list of high-tech weaponry requirements to the United States and is apparently chasing 2,000 YIHA kamikaze drones from Turkey and longer-range PL-17 missiles for wide-bodied aircraft from China.