Explained: Why India is fighting a Pakistan armed by China

Till 2010, the US was Pakistan's largest arms supplier. But the US was getting increasingly frustrated by Pakistan's continued support for the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network and the fact that it was nurturing terrorists in its backyard. By 2016, US arms supplies dried up completely. China, meanwhile, had started filling up this vacuum, and now accounts for over 80% of Pakistan's arms imports. Pak bought $9 billion worth of weapons from China between 2014 and 2024 medium nocaption121056136PAKISTAN ARMYOverall strategic impactChinese arms have allowed Pakistan army to field modern capabilities despite budgetary constraints and sanctions. Apart from ground combat power, Chinese surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems have given Pakistan a shield against aerial threats.VT-4 Main Battle TanksVT-4 (called “Haider” tank in Pakistan) is a third-generation MBT comparable to China’s latest Type-99A. These were bought to provide Pakistan with a modern armoured force to counter India’s fleet of T-90MS and Arjun tanks.How many | 176Cost | $859 millionContract signed | 2018Inducted | 2020Significance | Underscores growing Sino-Pak defence collaboration, even enabling Pakistan to upgrade indigenous Al-Khalid tanks with Chinese technology medium121055149SH-15 155mm Wheeled HowitzersSH-15 is a modern truck-mounted artillery system. With a range of up to 50km (using rocket-assisted projectiles) and high mobility, it enhances Pak army’s long-range firepower along the Indian border.How many | 236Cost | $500 millionContract signed | 2019Inducted | 2022Significance | The large scale of purchase highlights Pakistan’s reliance on affordable Chinese weapons to modernise its artillery; seen as a response to India’s acquisition of K-9 Vajra self-propelled guns medium121055260LY-80 (HQ-16) Medium-Range Air Defence SystemLY-80 is the export version of the HQ-16A medium-range surface-to-air missile system. An LY-80 battery comprises a search radar, engagement radars and multiple vertical-launch units (each with six HQ-16 missiles capable of 40km range and 15km altitude.How many | 9Cost | $599 millionContract signed | 2013-2015Inducted | 2017Significance | Improves Pakistan’s ability to defend against aircraft or cruise missile threats at low and medium altitudes, narrowing the technology gap with Indian air defences. medium121055295 medium nocaption121054893PAKISTAN AIR FORCEOverall strategic impactChinese arms sales have transformed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) between 2014 and 2024, enabling PAF to field modern capabilities despite Western sanctions and budget limits.JF-17 Thunder co-developmentNot a traditional sale, (as it is jointly produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s CAC), but JF-17 programme saw continued progress with Chinese support. Dozens of JF-17 Block II fighters were delivered to PAF by 2015–2016. In 2019, Pakistan began producing the more advanced Block III variant, featuring a Chinese AESA radar and ability to fire long-range PL-15 missiles.Inducted | 2022Significance | Joint project underscores depth of China-Pakistan collaboration medium121055323J-10C “Firebird” Fighter JetsJ-10C is a 4.5-generation single-engine multirole jet equipped with AESA radar and capable of carrying advanced PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles. Significantly enhances PAF’s air combat capabilities with a modern platform in the class between the JF-17 and heavier US-supplied F-16s.How many | 25Cost | $1–1.5 billionContract signed | 2021Inducted | 2022Significance | High-end system that Pakistan could only obtain from China, signalling Beijing’s willingness to bolster Islamabad’s frontline combat power. Move also seen as a message to India, with Pakistani leaders linking J-10C’s purchase to countering India’s Rafales medium nocaption121055391Long-Range Air Defence Systems (HQ-9 Family)Pillars of Pakistan’s multi-layered air defence, providing coverage against fighter jets, cruise missiles and possibly ballistic targets. Deployed around major cities and strategic sites.Contract details | Not knownInducted | In 2021, Pakistani military inducted HQ-9/P long-range SAM. By 2022, PAF deployed newer HQ-9BE variant and export FD-2000 systemSignificance | The procurement of such high-end Chinese SAMs reflects China’s role in underwriting Pakistan’s strategic defence, highlights shifting regional balance as Pakistan’s air defences become increasingly Chinese-supplied 121055544Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)Acquisitions of Chinese drones give Pakistan a versatile UAV fleet for reconnaissance and precision strikes. It also places Pakistan among the leading operators of Chinese UCAV technology, second only to China in Asia-PacificHow many | Exact number not known (15 CH-4 “Rainbow” MALE drones, 48 Wing Loong II drones, a few Wing Loong II UCAVsCost | Not known, but $24 million for one tranche of 10 CH-4Contract signed | Not knownInducted | Jan 2021 onwardsSignificance | Speaks of China’s expanding influence in high-tech domains of Pakistan’s military, as Islamabad looks to Beijing for systems unavailable from Western sources 121055735Karakoram Eagle AWACS (ZDK-03)This airborne early warning and control system significantly improves PAF’s situational awareness and battle management capabilities.How many | 4Cost | $278 millionContract signed | 2008Inducted | 2015Significance | Helped establish China’s credibility in exporting complex defence systems, paving the way for later sales of combat aircraft and SAMs (surface-to-air missiles) to Pakistan medium121055848 medium nocaption121055021PAKISTAN'S NAVYOverall strategic impactChinese arms sales have been transformative for Pakistan Navy, traditionally the weakest of Pakistan’s services relative to India. Naval acquisitions improve Pakistan’s ability to secure the Arabian Sea, safeguard the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s sea lanes, and contribute to coalition maritime security (such as anti-piracy efforts) with platforms interoperable with Chinese vessels.Hangor-Class Submarines (Type 039B/041 “Yuan” class)Reportedly equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) for enhanced submerged endurance. Expected to carry advanced torpedoes and missiles (possibly the Babur-3 cruise missile for nuclear second-strike).How many | 8Cost | $4-$5 billionContract signed | 2016Inducted | 2023–24 (four) & 2028 (four)Significance | Unprecedented Chinese commitment, effectively equipping an ally’s submarine arm, which boosts China’s influence in Indian Ocean medium121056041Type 054A/P Frigates (Tughril-class)Highly advanced for a regional navy, they feature a 32-cell vertical launch system with HHQ-16 medium-range SAMs (export LY-80N), C-802/CM-302 anti-ship missiles, advanced sensors, anti-submarine suites, and combat management systems.How many | 4Cost | Not knownContract signed | 2017-2018Inducted | 2021-2023Significance | Programme’s execution amid Covid pandemic and timely fulfilment by 2023 demonstrated robustness of Chinese defence industry support. The deal also reinforced China’s status as a reliable source for warships, a role traditionally played by Western suppliers medium121055870Azmat-Class Fast Attack Craft (Missile)Each Azmat-class craft is armed with 8 C-802A anti-ship cruise missiles (180km range) and a CIWS (close-in weapon system), giving the navy a potent punch in coastal waters.How many | 4Cost | $200 millionContract signed | Not knownInducted | 2012-2022Significance | For China, helping Pakistan build FACs locally demonstrated effective transfer of naval construction skills and secured an export for its missile systems (C-802A) medium121056113Also read: Explained: How we intercept Pak's drones, missiles, and how we hit backSources: SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production reports, Defence News, Jane’s, Quwa