Not long after Pakistan announced that it had used Chinese-made PL-15E missiles to shoot down Indian fighter jets, China’s state broadcaster CCTV re-aired video footage highlighting the fully automated assembly process of the advanced weapon, as reported by the SCMP. Originally broadcast in July of the previous year, the video resurfaced on Thursday and quickly gained traction on Chinese social media. It showcased China’s ability to produce sophisticated weaponry at low cost and high volume, possibly signaling a strategic push to boost military exports.
The PL-15E is the export variant of the PL-15, a long-range air-to-air missile. In the recently aired footage, robotic systems were shown carrying out intricate tasks—including assembling components, welding, and performing quality checks—entirely without human intervention.
Those featured in the video described China’s shift to “intelligent manufacturing” as a transformational leap in weapons production. At the Airborne Missile Academy, where the PL-15E is built, the assembly line runs continuously, 24 hours a day. Autonomous, adaptive robots are used to reduce labor costs and increase output. According to Yao Changhong, director of AVIC’s electric equipment division, “Our flexible assembly line automates component identification, assembly, welding, and inspection. Once the necessary materials and software are in place, the system operates independently.”
Thanks to its versatility, the robotic system can efficiently produce a variety of missile models, accommodating both mass production and limited-run orders. This ability to switch between designs on demand makes the system particularly valuable in addressing shifting military requirements and tapping into diverse export markets.
The timing of the video’s re-release—amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan—has sparked speculation that China is using its cutting-edge weapons manufacturing not only to make a geopolitical statement, but also to position itself as a dominant player in the global arms trade. Beyond being a missile, the PL-15E serves as a symbol of China’s growing clout in the field of advanced military technology, underpinned by intelligent robotics.