We all know the various reasons why the Indians fail to make military hardware. If they actually took the time to build up their technology and industry then they'd manage to be at least where Turkey is. But because they always try to shoot the moon and take all sorts of shortcuts, they end up with a technology base that can barely make small arms ammunition.
If the program was run properly, there would be an evaluation of all the different domestic options, and drop everything except for the most promising ones. They'd develop these promising domestic technologies and line up foreign replacements if they didn't pan out. Do that and India would have a prototype constructed by 2031 or so. But we all know that's not going to happen so we have to do is to get some popcorn and wait for the fireworks! I'm just really amused that they're already talking up a Mark II when they don't even have any real plans for a Mark I. To be fair, that's sort of what Lockheed Martin pulled off so maybe India is learning from the best!
As far as I know, the Meteor doesn't have an AESA seeker.
The PL-15 has four features that are rarely found on other AAM missiles:
1. Super long range.
2. AESA seeker head.
3. Two-way datalink.
4. Dual pulse rocket motor.
It's probably the second best AAM in the world, and it's there for a reason.
