Recent Fighting Highlights Chinese Military Hardware
Just over a week after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister visited China, its largest arms supplier. This visit comes as many are closely watching the performance of Chinese weapons used in recent clashes between the two countries.
During the fighting earlier this month, Pakistan claimed its Chinese-made fighter jets shot down six Indian aircraft, including three advanced French-made Rafale jets. This event is seen by some as a sign of China’s growing military power.
Expert Opinions on Chinese Equipment
Experts warn that limited fighting and lack of confirmed details make it difficult to fully assess the effectiveness of the Chinese weapons.
Lyle Morris from the Asia Society Policy Institute said, “This was a rare chance for the world to see Chinese military hardware face Western (Indian) equipment in real combat.”
Although China invests heavily in defense, it remains behind the U.S. in arms exports. Chinese weapons have been used in conflicts like Yemen and African civil wars, but this recent conflict marks the first major use against another nation since the 1980s.
Pakistan’s Reliance on Chinese Arms
Pakistan depends on China for about 63% of its weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In the recent clashes, Pakistan deployed J10-C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets armed with air-to-air missiles. It was the first time the J10-C jet saw combat.
Additionally, Pakistan’s air defenses used Chinese HQ-9P surface-to-air missiles, radar systems, and armed drones.
Bilal Khan, defense analyst, said, “This was the first prolonged conflict where Pakistan primarily relied on Chinese weapons.”
Indian Response and Equipment Comparison
India has not officially confirmed any aircraft losses, though sources mention three jets crashed on Indian soil. Dassault, the maker of the Rafale jets, has not commented.
The Rafale is considered one of Europe’s most advanced jets, while the Chinese J10-C is a dedicated air combat fighter with powerful radar. James Char from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University noted that the J10-C’s design suits aerial combat better than the multi-role Rafale.
However, Chinese air defense systems did not perform as well as expected, with India neutralizing one near Lahore.
Impact on Chinese Defense Industry
After reports of the dogfights, shares of Chengdu Aircraft Company, maker of the J10-C, jumped by over 40%.
The Stimson Center’s Yun Sun predicted increased orders for Chinese defense contractors but warned that China must make major adjustments before becoming a top global arms exporter.
Jennifer Kavanagh from Defense Priorities added that China still struggles to mass-produce key components like aircraft engines.
Analysts’ Cautious Views
Some analysts believe the stock market’s reaction was exaggerated since full details of weapon effectiveness remain unclear.
They also emphasize that China’s exported weapons are less advanced than those used by its own military.
According to experts, the key to success is not just having high-tech weapons but how well they are used in combat.
Brian Hart from CSIS warned against overinterpreting these events, noting the small number of engagements and limited information about the skill levels of both sides’ forces.
