not just about Link 17
PAF adopted a unique strategy to get the jump on the French built Rafales who had the SPECTRA self defence system which is probably one of the most advanced systems in the World , Pakistan found a bypass
Chinese Military satellites picked up up the Indian Air Force movements , Erieye AWACS were sent airborne and they detected the Indian jets
information was relayed to J10CE via Link 17 which launched the PL-15 air to air missiles
point of note here, neither the J10CE ASEA radar nor the PL15s own seeker got any lock on the Rafales so the Rafale did not know they were being hunted down
the missile was fired and when it comes to around 5-10 seconds before impact the Pl-15 seeker is activated and to gives no time for the Rafale pilots to react even the SPECTRA couldn't see it even while being spoofing by DA-30 Falcons
this strategy required Erieye AWACS guiding J10CE + PL-15 missiles until J10CE and Pl-15 were in close proximity
not only did it work they downed 3-4 x Rafales
this whole thing requires integrated battle management system
it requires surveillance and radar jamming