Are there any estimates of NEZ with this range for PL-15?
NEZ is the distance where missiles will reach and over take target no matter what the aspect angle of it . It doesnt mean missiles will hit , it just means the aircraft will have to defeat missiles by maneuver rather than turning and run away.
There really cannot be said for the PL-15 since we dont know the specific impulse of the motor and the altitude at which one is guessing it.
The aim-120A has a NEZ of 25km at altitude and 10km at sea level.
Lets compare to a known chest thumper on NEZ superiority known as meteor.
The meteor’s advantage comes in at maintaining range at low to medium altitudes where its oxygen needing Ramjets give it more powered flight time which allows it to “guarantee” NEZ. Once its motor runs out the inherent drag of intakes and added weight will basically make it fall like a rock compared to a more aerodynamically refined Amraam or PL-15 but the intelligence in engine and fuel management are worked into the meteor to allow it to keep energy for end game maneuvering.
At high altitudes where the air is thin it can even be outranged by the aim-120C5 depending upon launch platform speed and target aspect angle. That is because the meteor doesn’t loft as quickly like the AIM-120 as its ramjet cannot provide the necessary acceleration to push it into a loft trajectory as fast without seriously compromising range. Also, the Aim-120 or PL-15 will be a very light missile once its booster runs out and capable of much tighter maneuvers compared to the meteor which has to do fuel management as well over the course of its flight. Where the meteor does have advantages is its lifting body design that allows good maneuvering at high altitudes.
When an Amraam C+ or Pl-12 or 15 comes down its carrying with it all the potential and kinetic energy so that NEZ is now also being converted to Pk even after the motor runs out.
Two different NEZ philosophies but so far only the Amraam has been battle tested and proven.
There are advantages to each approach but it all depends on the advances in efficient propellant for rockets and weight of ramjets.
What the Pl-15 does is outstick the meteor and keeps the PAF with first look, first shoot unlike the still in development Indian indigenous projects.
And if they do manage to outstick the PL-15, what the Chinese have in development next will push them back again. Why? Because the Chinese are targeting the Americans as an enemy that is on a much much higher technological plane than the Indians will ever be in the next 40 years.
Finally, regarding the Meteor and certain odd scenarios. In case a PAF fighter encounters a meteor equipped fighter at very close range and all they have is MRAAMs and is asked to engage.. it can shoot off either the SD-10, Aim-120 and PL-15 if need be off boresight and they will maneuver at very high G’s to get that target. The meteor however is pretty useless at close range as its booster works to get it up to speed.