International attention has been focused on the role and effectiveness of Chinese-made weapons in the ongoing India-Pakistan military war, which was sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault in Jammu & Kashmir.
On May 7, India began Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to the incident, which claimed the lives of 26 people. Over 100 terrorists from organizations including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly killed by Indian forces’ precision attacks over the course of the following four days.
Indian defenses intercepted Pakistan’s airstrikes in retaliation. When both countries agreed to a halt in fighting on all fronts—land, air, and sea—the war came to an end on May 10.
The effectiveness of the Chinese military hardware that Pakistan uses, which makes up a significant amount of its defense arsenal, has been a central focus of the post-conflict research. 81% of Pakistan’s military imports, including fighter jets, radars, warships, submarines, and sophisticated missile systems, come from China, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Notably, India recovered an unexploded PL-15E missile during the conflict. This missile is a Chinese-made, radar-guided, bey
effectiveness on the battlefield.
Indian military sources have claimed that although China provided Pakistan with satellite and air defense assistance, the outcomes were “below average.” Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, refrained from commenting on the efficiency of Chinese equipment during the fight or offering any data in response to these accusations.
Zhang avoided direct questions on the PL-15E missile and the general effectiveness of Chinese weapons at a routine news briefing. Instead, he reiterated China’s request for all parties to maintain composure and refrain from taking any measures that would make the situation worse. We want to emphasize that Pakistan and India are inextricable neighbors. Zhang emphasized China’s readiness to contribute positively to preserving regional peace and stability, saying, “We hope both sides will remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation.”
China’s silence has been construed by analysts and experts as a calculated tactic to preserve its neutrality in South Asian geopolitics and prevent harm to its reputation. However, the uncertainty surrounding Chinese weapons’ effectiveness on the battlefield—particularly in light of the reportedly poor outcomes—may affect other nations’ future defense acquisition choices.
With the successful deployment of domestically built systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash surface-to-air missile, Akashteer missile defense system, and sophisticated drone defense systems, the incident has also brought attention to India’s expanding technological advantage.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has raised concerns about the efficacy of Chinese military exports in real-world battle. Despite China’s decision to keep quiet, the strategic ramifications of its silence and the alleged flaws in its equipment are probably going to have an impact on future regional security dynamics and defense circles.
