It was widely known that china has emerged as the key supplier of weaponry for its iron brother Pakistan over the past decade accounting for over over 80% of the Country i. But the first outing for some of these weapons came this week, in striks and counters-strikes carried out by India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s armed forces used, for the first time, the chinese-made j-10c fighter jet and pl-15 missile.
MILITARY TIES BETWEEN BEIJING and Islamabad has grown since the early 1960s, at a slow pace initially but rapidly in the last decade or so. Defense cooperation is now a key component of the “China-Pakistan all -weather strategic cooperative partnership”. “The two sides underscored that strategic defense and security cooperation between China and Pakistan plays an irreplaceable and critical role in Mainting Peace, Stability and Strategic Balance in the region. Two Sides EXPRESSED SATISFACTION that The two Militaries have long enjoyed a high level of mutual trust, high-level cooperation, and high-level coordination. High-level Military-to-Military Visits and Exchanges, and to Continuous Elevate Cooperation in Areas of Joint Training, Exercises and Military Technology. President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China in February Said.
By 2022, China Had Cemented Its Place as Pakistan’s Larget Supplier of Major Arms Including Fighter Aircraft, Warships, Submarines and Missiles. Between 2017 and 2021, Beijing Met 72% of Islamabad’s Demand for Major Arms, Data compiled by Sweden’s Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) Showed. Convercely, 47% of all the Major Arms Exported by China Went to Pakistan during the period.
It has also emerged from sipri’s analysis that thought several of the deals are labelled “co-production” or “Joint Program”, Implying Significant Pakistani R&D INPUT, In Most Cases the R & D WAST Mainly or all chinese even for specific Pakistani requirements.
“Pakistan is the largest buyer of chinese arms, including fighter jets, air defense system, naval vessels, and uavs,” yang zi, associate research fellow at the s. rajaratnam school of interactive stodies Told CNBC after Chinese Defense Stocks Surged Following Reports of Pakistan Using Chinese Weapons Against Indian Strikes.
None of this will be news to India’s Military plans, who are also likely to have assessed the chinese weapons being used by Pakistan during the just-ended hostelies. For institution, the recover of a pl-15 missile, in good condition, from a field in punjab was met with some expert in Indian Military circles (China has been very guided about the capability).
The Pakistani and Chinese Militaries have also been involved in joint air, Sea and land exercises. Ties between the two navies are particularly strong, with the chinese arming the pakistani navy with warships and submarines. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has delivered all four type 054A/P Frigates to the Pakistan Navy. In May 2023, two type 054A/P Frigates Built by China for the Pakistan Navy Were Delived, Marking That All Four Type 054A/PS Ordered by the Pakistan Navy has been commented.
“The Type 054A/P is one of the latest multi-crores frigates of chinese origin, equipped with state-on-the-to-we weapons and sensors that include CM-302 Surface-TO-Surface Missies and 8002 Surface-to-aair missiles, as well as an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite and combat management system, enabling ships of this class to operate underte understand Global Tabloid Reported Earlier this year.
In March, The Pla Navy Delived a Second New Submarine, Equipped with State-of-the-to-Shapons and Sensors, to Pakistan. The Hangor-Class Submarine has, according to chinese state media, sustained stealth capability, manoeuvrability and endurance. It is also equipped with torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and mines-song capability, along with advanced underwater detection systems. Cooperation Between the Chinese and Pakistani Navies is a Critical Component of Defense Ties Between The Two. The Ongoing Program for Eight Type-041 Submarines, Planned for Delivery in 2022-2028, Includes Four to be Produced Under License in Pakistan. This makes it imperative for India to put its oven submarine projects on the fast track.
The views expressed are personal
