Weeks after Operation Sindoor concluded, its lessons remain vivid. The conflict was more than a border skirmish; it was a test of military technology. The lessons learnt have put China’s multi-billion-dollar defence modernisation achievements under the spotlight, especially considering this is the first time since the 1980s that the world has had a firsthand view of its capabilities.
During the border skirmishes, Pakistan leaned heavily on Chinese weapons—fighter jets, missiles, drones—but these systems largely failed when faced against the Indian might. India’s indigenous platforms, particularly the BrahMos missile, outclassed them, delivering precise strikes and changing the regional security balance.
Chinese weapons in the spotlight
Pakistan imports nearly 82% of its military hardware from China. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, one of the leaders of seven all-party delegations during his visit to Bogotá, Colombia, said, "We are quite conscious that China supplies 81 per cent of all Pakistani defence equipment. Defence is a polite word—Pakistani military equipment. Much of it is not for defence but for attack. Every sovereign country has the right to do that."
He also went on to say, "The single largest project in China’s Belt and Road Initiative is in Pakistan, the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a highway corridor connecting China to a port in southwestern Pakistan that permits goods to be transported relatively quickly and economically to western China. We are aware of that, and our concern is not with the rights of the Pakistani people to pursue development. Of course, they may do so, including with the partnership with China. Our quarrel is only with the perpetration of terror against us..."
During Operation Sindoor, this dependency became a glaring vulnerability. Pakistani forces deployed the J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets armed with PL-15 air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile systems. These platforms, touted as advanced, faced their first combat test. But according to reports, the HQ-9 system failed to intercept Indian aircraft and missile strikes, including the supersonic BrahMos missile. Indian forces also neutralised the HQ-9 near Lahore, undermining Pakistan’s air defence.
Bilal Khan, founder of the Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group, noted, “The Chinese air-defence systems, however, do not appear to have been as effective as the Pakistan Air Force would have hoped.”
The PL-15 missile, heavily promoted by China as a rival to Western missiles, also fell short. Indian military officials displayed fragments of a PL-15 missile recovered in Hoshiarpur that failed to hit its target. Claims of its success were widely seen as propaganda.
Also Read: 'The missile you mention...': Beijing deflects question on Chinese arms' ‘below average’ performance in India-Pakistan conflict
Failures beyond air defence
Chinese-origin platforms across the board showed weaknesses. Pakistani J-10C and JF-17 fighter jets equipped with PL-15 missiles failed to significantly challenge Indian air strikes. Independent sources found no evidence supporting Pakistani or Chinese claims of shooting down Indian jets.
Moreover, Indian airstrikes destroyed a Chinese-supplied YLC-8E anti-stealth radar at Chunian Air Base, further weakening Pakistan’s situational awareness.
Chinese drones and AR-1 laser-guided missiles deployed by Pakistan were intercepted or neutralised. Reports highlighted their limited stealth and vulnerability to electronic warfare, which India effectively employed.
On the other hand, China has denied sending arms to Pakistan during the conflict. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force called rumours about the Y-20 military transport aircraft flying arms to Pakistan “false” and warned, “The internet is not beyond the law! Those who produce and spread military-related rumours will be held legally responsible!”
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged restraint from both India and Pakistan, stating: “China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint, and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”
Also Read: AI vs Nukes: How China's new tech could shake up global arms control
From US to China: Pakistan’s shift in arms dependency
Before 2010, the United States was Pakistan’s main arms supplier. But growing US frustration with Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network, led Washington to halt arms sales by 2016. China then stepped in, becoming Pakistan’s primary military backer.
Between 2014 and 2024, Beijing sold over $9 billion worth of weapons to Pakistan. Today, more than 80% of Pakistan’s military imports come from China, transforming Islamabad’s armed forces.
Pakistani Army: Chinese Hardware Powering Land Forces
Salman Ali Bettani, an international relations scholar at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, said, “The engagement represented a milestone in the operational use of advanced Chinese-origin systems.” Retired Chinese Colonel Zhou Bo told CNN: “It will potentially be a huge boost for Chinese arms sales in the international market.”
China’s defence stocks surged during the conflict. The maker of the J-10C, AVIC Chengdu Aircraft, saw a 17% jump one day followed by a 20% rise the next, even before Pakistan’s foreign minister confirmed use of the jets.
China and Pakistan have also regularly conducted joint military exercises, covering air, sea, and land domains. Some Pakistani weapons, such as the JF-17 Block III, were co-developed with Chinese companies. Others, like the HQ-9B air defence system, are based on Chinese technology.
Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented, “This isn’t just a bilateral clash anymore; it’s a glimpse of how Chinese defence exports are reshaping regional deterrence.”
This military relationship deepened after the US ended arms sales to Pakistan. Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher at SIPRI, said: “China used the opportunity to show itself as the only real friend and ally of Pakistan.”
Also Read: Lockheed to Boeing: How India’s Operation Sindoor may loosen the grip of US defence giants
Broader implications for China’s defence exports
Operation Sindoor delivered a harsh test for China’s ambitions as a global arms supplier. Despite billions in defence spending, China trails far behind the United States in arms exports. The conflict exposed systemic issues—defective components, poor quality control, inadequate training, and lacklustre after-sales support.
Siemon Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said, “This is the first time since the 1980s that a state has used large numbers of Chinese weapons of many types in action against another state.”
These shortcomings are likely to deepen scepticism toward Chinese arms globally, accelerating the decline of their export market.
For India, Operation Sindoor validated its investment in homegrown weapon systems and precision strike capability. The conflict signalled a doctrinal shift towards assertiveness and technological dominance, reflected in the successful use of BrahMos missiles.
The engagement also provided crucial data on Chinese military equipment performance, which is vital given India’s ongoing tensions with China along their shared border. Observing these weaknesses offers India an advantage in preparing countermeasures.
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, an Indian military official, remarked on the effectiveness of Indian air strikes, “Some Pakistani aircraft were downed over Pakistan’s own territory.”
The brief war highlighted a transition in modern warfare — the dominance of electronic warfare, drones, and precision missiles over traditional dogfights.
India’s BrahMos missile emerged as the conflict’s standout weapon. This supersonic cruise missile demonstrated remarkable accuracy and survivability, hitting high-value Pakistani targets while keeping Indian forces safe. BrahMos exemplifies India’s strategic shift from reactive defence to a proactive doctrine aimed at deterring cross-border terrorism with precision strikes.
“The BrahMos missile forced Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire,” military analysts say. Unlike Pakistan’s numerous drone swarms—many of which were intercepted by Indian defences—India’s focused use of precision weaponry had disproportionate impact.
During the border skirmishes, Pakistan leaned heavily on Chinese weapons—fighter jets, missiles, drones—but these systems largely failed when faced against the Indian might. India’s indigenous platforms, particularly the BrahMos missile, outclassed them, delivering precise strikes and changing the regional security balance.
Chinese weapons in the spotlight
Pakistan imports nearly 82% of its military hardware from China. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, one of the leaders of seven all-party delegations during his visit to Bogotá, Colombia, said, "We are quite conscious that China supplies 81 per cent of all Pakistani defence equipment. Defence is a polite word—Pakistani military equipment. Much of it is not for defence but for attack. Every sovereign country has the right to do that."
He also went on to say, "The single largest project in China’s Belt and Road Initiative is in Pakistan, the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a highway corridor connecting China to a port in southwestern Pakistan that permits goods to be transported relatively quickly and economically to western China. We are aware of that, and our concern is not with the rights of the Pakistani people to pursue development. Of course, they may do so, including with the partnership with China. Our quarrel is only with the perpetration of terror against us..."
During Operation Sindoor, this dependency became a glaring vulnerability. Pakistani forces deployed the J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets armed with PL-15 air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile systems. These platforms, touted as advanced, faced their first combat test. But according to reports, the HQ-9 system failed to intercept Indian aircraft and missile strikes, including the supersonic BrahMos missile. Indian forces also neutralised the HQ-9 near Lahore, undermining Pakistan’s air defence.
Bilal Khan, founder of the Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group, noted, “The Chinese air-defence systems, however, do not appear to have been as effective as the Pakistan Air Force would have hoped.”
The PL-15 missile, heavily promoted by China as a rival to Western missiles, also fell short. Indian military officials displayed fragments of a PL-15 missile recovered in Hoshiarpur that failed to hit its target. Claims of its success were widely seen as propaganda.
Also Read: 'The missile you mention...': Beijing deflects question on Chinese arms' ‘below average’ performance in India-Pakistan conflict
Failures beyond air defence
Chinese-origin platforms across the board showed weaknesses. Pakistani J-10C and JF-17 fighter jets equipped with PL-15 missiles failed to significantly challenge Indian air strikes. Independent sources found no evidence supporting Pakistani or Chinese claims of shooting down Indian jets.
Moreover, Indian airstrikes destroyed a Chinese-supplied YLC-8E anti-stealth radar at Chunian Air Base, further weakening Pakistan’s situational awareness.
Chinese drones and AR-1 laser-guided missiles deployed by Pakistan were intercepted or neutralised. Reports highlighted their limited stealth and vulnerability to electronic warfare, which India effectively employed.
On the other hand, China has denied sending arms to Pakistan during the conflict. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force called rumours about the Y-20 military transport aircraft flying arms to Pakistan “false” and warned, “The internet is not beyond the law! Those who produce and spread military-related rumours will be held legally responsible!”
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged restraint from both India and Pakistan, stating: “China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint, and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”
Also Read: AI vs Nukes: How China's new tech could shake up global arms control
From US to China: Pakistan’s shift in arms dependency
Before 2010, the United States was Pakistan’s main arms supplier. But growing US frustration with Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network, led Washington to halt arms sales by 2016. China then stepped in, becoming Pakistan’s primary military backer.
Between 2014 and 2024, Beijing sold over $9 billion worth of weapons to Pakistan. Today, more than 80% of Pakistan’s military imports come from China, transforming Islamabad’s armed forces.
Pakistani Army: Chinese Hardware Powering Land Forces
- VT-4 Main Battle Tanks (Haider): 176 tanks purchased for $859 million since 2018, deployed by 2020 to counter India’s T-90MS and Arjun tanks. These tanks incorporate Chinese technology that has upgraded Pakistan’s own Al-Khalid tanks.
- SH-15 155mm Howitzers: 236 units costing $500 million, inducted by 2022, offering long-range artillery capabilities up to 50 km to match India’s K-9 Vajra systems.
- LY-80 Air Defence (HQ-16 export version): 9 batteries costing $599 million, inducted in 2017, designed to protect against low- and medium-altitude air threats.
- JF-17 Thunder: Jointly developed with China, with Block II introduced in 2015–16 and Block III in 2022, featuring Chinese AESA radar and PL-15 long-range missile upgrades. It is the flagship of Pakistan’s air modernisation.
- J-10C “Firebird”: 25 jets bought in 2021–22 for $1–1.5 billion, regarded as 4.5-generation fighters rivaling India’s Rafale. Pakistani officials said: “We have bought J-10C to balance India’s acquisition of Rafales.”
- HQ-9 Long-Range Air Defence: Inducted 2021–22, defending major urban and strategic areas.
- Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs): Including CH-4 “Rainbow” and Wing Loong II for reconnaissance and strikes, making Pakistan second only to China in the Asia-Pacific UCAV deployments.
- Karakoram Eagle (ZDK-03 AWACS): Four early-warning aircraft inducted in 2015, enhancing battlefield surveillance.
- Hangor-Class Submarines: Eight submarines worth $4–5 billion ordered in 2016, with four inducted by 2024 and four more expected by 2028, possibly carrying nuclear cruise missiles.
- Type 054A/P Frigates (Tughril-class): Four frigates inducted between 2021 and 2023 with advanced weaponry.
- Azmat-Class Fast Attack Crafts: Four vessels equipped with C-802A anti-ship missiles, built with Chinese help.
Salman Ali Bettani, an international relations scholar at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, said, “The engagement represented a milestone in the operational use of advanced Chinese-origin systems.” Retired Chinese Colonel Zhou Bo told CNN: “It will potentially be a huge boost for Chinese arms sales in the international market.”
China’s defence stocks surged during the conflict. The maker of the J-10C, AVIC Chengdu Aircraft, saw a 17% jump one day followed by a 20% rise the next, even before Pakistan’s foreign minister confirmed use of the jets.
China and Pakistan have also regularly conducted joint military exercises, covering air, sea, and land domains. Some Pakistani weapons, such as the JF-17 Block III, were co-developed with Chinese companies. Others, like the HQ-9B air defence system, are based on Chinese technology.
Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented, “This isn’t just a bilateral clash anymore; it’s a glimpse of how Chinese defence exports are reshaping regional deterrence.”
This military relationship deepened after the US ended arms sales to Pakistan. Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher at SIPRI, said: “China used the opportunity to show itself as the only real friend and ally of Pakistan.”
Also Read: Lockheed to Boeing: How India’s Operation Sindoor may loosen the grip of US defence giants
Broader implications for China’s defence exports
Operation Sindoor delivered a harsh test for China’s ambitions as a global arms supplier. Despite billions in defence spending, China trails far behind the United States in arms exports. The conflict exposed systemic issues—defective components, poor quality control, inadequate training, and lacklustre after-sales support.
Siemon Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said, “This is the first time since the 1980s that a state has used large numbers of Chinese weapons of many types in action against another state.”
These shortcomings are likely to deepen scepticism toward Chinese arms globally, accelerating the decline of their export market.
For India, Operation Sindoor validated its investment in homegrown weapon systems and precision strike capability. The conflict signalled a doctrinal shift towards assertiveness and technological dominance, reflected in the successful use of BrahMos missiles.
The engagement also provided crucial data on Chinese military equipment performance, which is vital given India’s ongoing tensions with China along their shared border. Observing these weaknesses offers India an advantage in preparing countermeasures.
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, an Indian military official, remarked on the effectiveness of Indian air strikes, “Some Pakistani aircraft were downed over Pakistan’s own territory.”
The brief war highlighted a transition in modern warfare — the dominance of electronic warfare, drones, and precision missiles over traditional dogfights.
India’s BrahMos missile emerged as the conflict’s standout weapon. This supersonic cruise missile demonstrated remarkable accuracy and survivability, hitting high-value Pakistani targets while keeping Indian forces safe. BrahMos exemplifies India’s strategic shift from reactive defence to a proactive doctrine aimed at deterring cross-border terrorism with precision strikes.
“The BrahMos missile forced Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire,” military analysts say. Unlike Pakistan’s numerous drone swarms—many of which were intercepted by Indian defences—India’s focused use of precision weaponry had disproportionate impact.
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