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The recent military clash between India and Pakistan, dubbed Operation Sindoor, has brought into sharp focus the rapidly evolving dynamics of regional geopolitics and the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes following a terrorist attack, has inadvertently provided the first significant real-world combat test for China’s multi-billion dollar defence modernization program. As Pakistan deploys Chinese-made fighter jets and other military hardware in response, the international community is closely scrutinizing Beijing's role as Islamabad's principal arms supplier. The situation highlights the broader geopolitical consequences of Chinese weaponry being deployed against a regional power once closely aligned with the United States. China's response to the unfolding events has been carefully calibrated. While denying direct military support to Pakistan during the conflict, Beijing has reiterated its opposition to terrorism and urged both sides to exercise restraint. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized the need for peace and stability, cautioning against actions that could further complicate the situation. However, the deployment of Chinese-made equipment by Pakistan speaks volumes about the strategic alignment between the two nations. The shift in Pakistan’s reliance on arms suppliers is a critical factor in understanding the current dynamic. Historically, the United States was Pakistan's primary defence partner. However, growing frustration in Washington over Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, led to a gradual decline in arms sales. This culminated in a virtual halt by 2016, creating a strategic void that China swiftly filled. Since then, China has emerged as the backbone of Pakistan’s military hardware. Between 2020 and 2024, a staggering 81% of Islamabad’s imported weapons came from Chinese suppliers, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This includes advanced fighter jets, radar systems, air defence systems, and precision missiles. This transformation has fundamentally reshaped Pakistan’s armed forces, allowing it to maintain a modern military despite budget constraints and international sanctions. The article details specific examples of Chinese military hardware now in use by the Pakistani armed forces. In the land warfare domain, Pakistan has acquired VT-4 tanks (also known as 'Haider') to counter India's T-90MS and Arjun tanks. These third-generation main battle tanks, acquired for $859 million, represent a significant upgrade to Pakistan's armored capabilities. Furthermore, the acquisition of SH-15 155mm howitzers, high-mobility, long-range artillery systems, for $500 million enhances Pakistan’s ability to counter India's K-9 Vajra systems. Complementing these offensive capabilities is the LY-80 Air Defence system (the export version of the HQ-16), consisting of nine batteries acquired for $599 million. This system provides enhanced protection against low- and medium-altitude air threats, bolstering Pakistan’s air defence capabilities. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has undergone a substantial modernization, largely fueled by Chinese technology. The JF-17 Thunder, a jointly developed fighter jet, is a flagship project of this collaboration. Upgrades to the JF-17, including the integration of a Chinese Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the capability to deploy PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, significantly enhance its combat effectiveness. To further bolster its air power, Pakistan has acquired the J-10C 'Firebird,' a 4.5-generation fighter jet seen as a direct rival to India's Rafale. The acquisition of 25 J-10C aircraft for $1-1.5 billion underscores Pakistan's determination to balance India’s air superiority. Pakistan has also significantly enhanced its air defence capabilities with the deployment of the HQ-9 long-range air defence system. This system, including the HQ-9/P and HQ-9BE variants (also known as the FD-2000), provides comprehensive coverage for major urban centers and strategic targets, improving Pakistan’s defence against missiles and aircraft. Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) also play a crucial role in Pakistan's military strategy. Pakistan has acquired CH-4 “Rainbow” and Wing Loong II UCAVs for reconnaissance and precision strike missions, becoming the second-largest deployer of UCAVs in the Asia-Pacific region, after China. In addition to these systems, Pakistan has bolstered its battlefield surveillance and command capabilities with the acquisition of the Karakoram Eagle (ZDK-03 AWACS) airborne early warning and control aircraft. This system enhances the PAF’s situational awareness and allows for more effective coordination of air operations. The Pakistani Navy, traditionally considered the weakest of the three services, has received substantial reinforcement from China. The acquisition of eight Hangor-Class submarines (based on the Type 039B/041 design) for $4-5 billion significantly boosts Pakistan’s second-strike capability. These submarines are potentially capable of carrying Babur-3 nuclear cruise missiles, enhancing Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent. In addition, the Pakistan Navy has acquired four Type 054A/P frigates (Tughril-class), equipped with advanced anti-ship and anti-air weapons. These frigates highlight China's ability to fulfill complex contracts on time, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The acquisition of Azmat-Class Fast Attack Crafts, built with Chinese assistance and armed with C-802A anti-ship missiles, enhances Pakistan’s ability to conduct littoral warfare. The use of Chinese-made weapons in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan is being closely monitored by military observers worldwide. The deployment of Pakistan’s J-10C jets, equipped with AESA radars and potentially PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, is particularly significant, as these 4.5-generation fighters are considered to be on par with India’s Rafale aircraft. Experts believe that the conflict could serve as a live demonstration of China's weapons systems, potentially boosting Chinese arms sales in the international market. Defence stocks in China have already surged in response to the conflict, indicating investor confidence in the performance and marketability of Chinese military technology. The deepening Sino-Pakistan defence ties extend beyond mere hardware sales. The two countries regularly conduct joint air, sea, and land exercises, including simulated combat missions. Some of Pakistan’s weapons systems, such as the JF-17 Block III, have been co-developed with Chinese firms, while others, like the HQ-9B surface-to-air system, incorporate Chinese technology. This collaboration underscores the close strategic partnership between the two nations and their shared interest in regional security. However, not all analysts believe that the conflict definitively proves Chinese military superiority. Some argue that any potential Indian aircraft losses may be attributable to strategic miscalculations rather than inherent flaws in Indian hardware. Others point out that the success of Indian missile strikes in penetrating Pakistani airspace suggests that Chinese-made Pakistani radar and missile defences may have failed to intercept them effectively. The conflict is shaping up as a proxy test between Chinese and Western military technology, highlighting India’s growing strategic alignment with the West and Pakistan’s deepening embrace of China. The outcome of this conflict will have far-reaching implications for regional security and the future of Asian geopolitics.
The shift in defence dependencies between Pakistan, the US, and China has its roots in a combination of strategic estrangement and geopolitical opportunity. The United States, once the primary supplier of arms to Pakistan, gradually reduced and eventually halted arms sales in response to Islamabad's perceived support for militant groups and concerns over democratic reforms. This created a vacuum that China was quick to fill, leveraging its growing economic and military power to forge a closer strategic partnership with Pakistan. For China, the opportunity to become Pakistan's main arms supplier served multiple strategic objectives. Firstly, it allowed Beijing to exert greater influence in the region, strengthening its ties with a key ally and enhancing its ability to project power. Secondly, it provided a valuable market for China's burgeoning defence industry, boosting its technological capabilities and increasing its competitiveness on the global stage. Thirdly, it served as a counterweight to India's growing military power and its closer alignment with the United States. The deepening defence relationship between China and Pakistan has significant implications for the regional balance of power. It allows Pakistan to maintain a modern military despite facing budget constraints and international sanctions, enhancing its ability to deter potential threats. It also provides China with a strategic foothold in the region, allowing it to monitor and potentially counter the activities of its rivals. However, the growing reliance of Pakistan on Chinese arms also carries potential risks. It makes Pakistan more dependent on China for its security, potentially limiting its strategic autonomy. It also raises concerns about the quality and reliability of Chinese military equipment, as well as the potential for technology transfer and intellectual property theft. Moreover, the deepening Sino-Pakistan defence relationship has fueled concerns in India, which views it as a direct challenge to its regional dominance. India has responded by strengthening its own military capabilities, diversifying its arms suppliers, and forging closer strategic partnerships with the United States and other like-minded countries. The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, therefore, is not simply a bilateral dispute but a manifestation of broader geopolitical rivalries and power struggles in the region. The outcome of this conflict will have significant implications for the future of Asian security and the global balance of power.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, triggered by Operation Sindoor, has exposed the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and highlighted the growing role of Chinese military technology in the region. The shift in Pakistan's reliance on arms suppliers from the United States to China has fundamentally altered the regional balance of power, creating new challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders. While the conflict may serve as a valuable testing ground for Chinese military equipment and boost its arms sales in the international market, it also carries potential risks for Pakistan, including increased dependence on China and concerns about the quality and reliability of Chinese technology. For India, the deepening Sino-Pakistan defence relationship poses a direct challenge to its regional dominance, prompting it to strengthen its own military capabilities and forge closer strategic partnerships with other countries. The conflict underscores the importance of maintaining a stable and balanced security architecture in the region, as well as the need for all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions. Ultimately, the future of Asian geopolitics will depend on the ability of these major powers to manage their rivalries and find common ground in addressing shared challenges, such as terrorism, climate change, and economic development.
Source: India’s Operation Sindoor gambit exposes Pakistan’s made-in-China shield