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Asia Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Asia Times
New heights for China's arms diplomacy in South Asia
China is arming Pakistan and Azerbaijan with high-tech fighter jets, missile shields and surveillance aircraft — a bold play to redraw the balance of power in South Asia and the Caucasus. This month, Breaking Defense reported that Pakistan confirmed China's offer of 40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft and HQ-19 air defense systems. The deal was first leaked in December 2024 and now publicly credited by Islamabad to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's diplomacy. Also known as the FC-31, the J-35 is developed for both China's air force and navy and made its debut at Airshow China 2024. It features stealth shaping similar to that of the US F-35 Lightning II. Deliveries to Pakistan are expected within the next few months. The announcement follows a separate US$4.6 billion agreement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, in which Baku will procure 40 JF-17 fighter jets co-manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). China's defense exports to Islamabad signal deeper strategic alignment amid growing regional competition. As Pakistan pursues advanced capabilities, the deal highlights China's growing presence in global arms sales, particularly among states seeking alternatives to Western defense suppliers. Defense Security Asia notes in an article this month that the J-35, HQ-19 and KJ-500 represent a considerable leap in Pakistan's air defense capabilities. According to the report, the J-35 fifth-generation fighter armed with PL-17 missiles boasting a range of over 400 kilometers enables Pakistan to target high-value Indian aerial assets from beyond visual range. It also states that the HQ-19 system, dubbed the 'Chinese THAAD,' is designed for the high-altitude interception of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and hypersonic threats up to 150 kilometers above the ground, utilizing hit-to-kill technology and promising exoatmospheric defense with tracking radars that reach 1,000 kilometers. Meanwhile, Defense Security Asia mentions that the KJ-500 provides 360-degree radar coverage with its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, tracking up to 100 targets over a 470-kilometer range while coordinating air operations through advanced electronic intelligence. China's transfer of interoperable systems reflects its approach to systems warfare, as explained by Michael Dahm in a May 2025 article for Air & Space Forces Magazine. According to Dahm, one of the most essential takeaways from the April 2025 Kashmir clash is how Pakistan integrated its Chinese-origin weapons and air defenses against India, forming an effective kill chain. Dahm says that Pakistan's J-10 downing of a prized Indian Rafale jet says more about the quality of intangible factors between the opposing sides, such as system-of-systems integration, training and tactics, rather than the capabilities of either aircraft. Azerbaijan's decision to purchase JF-17 jets co-produced by China and Pakistan marks a significant departure from its traditional arms purchases from Russia. Paul Iddon notes in an April 2024 Business Insider article that while Russia has previously marketed the Su-30SM, Su-35 and MiG-25 fighters to Azerbaijan, the former's arms exports to the latter ceased in 2019, creating a vacuum for other arms exporters, such as Turkey, Pakistan, and China, to fill. In the same article, Federico Borsari notes that, as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions, Russia's arms exports have dropped as much as 64%, according to 2024 data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Borsari also notes that the poor performance of Russian aircraft in the Russia-Ukraine war may have prompted Azerbaijan to reconsider its arms purchases from Russia. Highlighting the political aspect of Azerbaijan's decision to purchase JF-17 jets, Sebastien Roblin notes in the same article that Russia's unreliability as a supplier, along with Western concerns over Azerbaijan's human rights record and potential future conflicts with Armenia, has made Turkey, Pakistan and China ideal partners. In terms of capability, Roblin says the JF-17 is a substantial upgrade over Azerbaijan's Soviet-era MiG-29 jets, with its newer electronics and the PL-15 missile possibly giving it an edge over Armenia's Russian-made Su-30SM fighters. China's arms sales to Pakistan and Azerbaijan tie into its larger military-economic interests. Jake Rinaldi mentions in a November 2024 article for the US Army War College that China's arms exports are driven by the need to protect its economic interests, gain influence in conflict zones, enhance the capabilities of its partners, build diplomatic relationships and offset research and development costs. Importantly, Pakistan and Azerbaijan are part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global land-and-sea infrastructure project that aims to offset the latter's 'Malacca Dilemma,' a strategic weakness wherein most of its trade and fuel imports passes through the narrow waterway, leaving it vulnerable to a US blockade in the event of a conflict. In line with that, Mohit Choudhary mentions in a February 2023 article for the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs that as China's sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) straddle the Indian Ocean, China leverages economic, diplomatic and security influence in a region fraught with fragile states such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Choudhary notes that India views the Indian Ocean as its sphere of influence, and China's increasing presence in the region through dual-use port infrastructure and arms exports heightens India's sense of insecurity. Likewise, Emil Avdaliani mentions in an April 2025 South China Morning Post (SCMP) article that China's ambitions in West Asia and the Black Sea region have grown in the past years, with the strategic goal of developing the Middle Corridor, a trade route that connects Europe and China via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, requiring significant economic and security investment. Avdaliani states that while Russia remains a significant source of military technology for Central Asia and, by extension, the Caucasus, the space for Russian arms exports is narrowing while China opens its defense industry, thereby eroding Russia's regional sphere of influence. China isn't just selling weapons. It is building alliances, projecting power and rewriting the rules of the global arms game. It is transforming arms sales into strategic tools of influence — building alliances, displacing rivals and reshaping the rules of power projection from the Indian Ocean to the Black Sea.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Major Pakistan Defense Boost as China Military Ties Deepen
Pakistan is set to boost its defense budget by 17 percent, allocating $9 billion (2.55 trillion rupees) as tensions with India soar following a deadly flare-up in April. In response to this heightened threat, Islamabad revealed that China has offered cutting-edge military hardware-including 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets and ballistic missile defense systems-signaling a significant escalation in their strategic alliance. Newsweek has reached out to the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministries for comment. This increase in defense spending underscores Pakistan's urgent focus on modernizing its military capabilities amid a volatile regional security environment. The rise in budget allocation comes after the most intense conflict with India in years, raising concerns about future escalation. Simultaneously, China's role as Pakistan's primary arms supplier is becoming more prominent, reshaping the military balance in South Asia. Pakistan's finance ministry announced a defense budget increase to $9 billion (2.55 trillion rupees) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, up from $7.7 billion (2.18 trillion rupees) the previous year. Defense spending remains the country's second-largest budget item after debt servicing, underscoring Islamabad's prioritization of military strength despite significant economic challenges. The recent conflict between India and Pakistan, in which dozens of people were killed, came in the wake of an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied Indian allegations of involvement in the attack. Since 2019, China has supplied about 82 percent of Pakistan's imported weapons, a sharp rise from 51 percent during 2009–2012, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This dependency is reflected in China's recent offer to sell Pakistan a comprehensive military package that includes 40 Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets, Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and HQ-19 ballistic missile defense systems, as confirmed by official Pakistani government statements and defense industry sources. The J-35, still under development, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter comparable to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II. It features low-observable design, an internal weapons bay, and advanced radar for networked warfare. The KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft boosts Pakistan's aerial surveillance with its large radar dish and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, providing 360-degree coverage vital for early threat detection. The HQ-19 missile defense system offers ballistic missile interception, an important asset for Pakistan's layered defense. Pakistan also recently secured a $4.6 billion contract with Azerbaijan for 40 JF-17 fighter jets, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China, further cementing its military-industrial partnership with Beijing. Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb: "National defense is the most important priority of the government. For this national duty, Rs2,550 billion [$9.04 billion] will be allocated." Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: "After defeating India in a conventional war, now we have to go beyond it in the economic field as well." Pakistan's expanded defense budget and China's offer of advanced military hardware are set to further intensify the regional arms race, particularly with India, which has also increased its defense spending. The coming year could test Pakistan's ability to balance military modernization with economic stability as the country navigates a tense security environment and complex geopolitical partnerships. Related Articles India to Get New Spy Planes to Counter Nuclear Rivals Pakistan and ChinaIndia Holds Major Air Drill Near Pakistan After Giant DogfightWorld's Highest Rail Bridge Opens to Reshape Nuclear Rivals' Power MapGlobal Arms Race Warning Issued As Nuclear Warheads Increase 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
India.com
02-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Pakistan's much hyped JF-17 fighter jet with Chinese frame and Russian engine costs..., much cheaper than India's...
New Delhi: Tensions between India and Pakistan are at an all-time high following the ceasefire. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attacked several Indian border towns with drones and missiles. India also retaliated strongly and destroyed many Pakistani targets. In the meantime, there is a lot of discussion about India's Rafale fighter jet and Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. India has purchased Rafale from France, while the JF-17 Thunder has been jointly developed by China and Pakistan. There is a significant price difference between the two. Rafale is considered the second most expensive fighter in the world after the F-22, while the price of JF-17 Thunder is comparatively much lower. The JF-17 Thunder is considered the backbone of Pakistan's Air Force alongside the F-16 fighter. It was built by the Chinese company Avic Chengdu Aircraft Co Ltd. Shares of this company rose by 53 percent in five days during the conflict. The JF-17 Thunder is a fourth-generation lightweight, single-engine multirole fighter. It has been jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). The JF-17 can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance. The JF-17 can deploy diverse ordnance, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, guided and unguided bombs, and a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon. Powered by a Guizhou WS-13 or Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan, it has a top speed of Mach 1.6. The JF-17 was inducted in the PAF in February 2010. Although a lot of makeshift technology has been used in this fighter, it features a Chinese airframe, a Western avionics system, and a Russian engine. Its biggest advantage is that it is very cheap. This is why countries that cannot afford expensive fighters like Rafale, F-16, and Eurofighter Typhoon opt for JF-17 Thunder. These include Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. According to media reports, the price of one unit is 25 million dollars, which is about 2.13 billion rupees, while the price of Rafale is around 135 million dollars or 11 billion rupees.
India.com
30-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Turkey and Pakistan's friend places order for 24 Chinese JF-17 fighter jets against India's friend armed with Indian weapons, the countries are...
New Delhi: Azerbaijan, which has been entangled in a long-standing conflict with Armenia, has taken a major step to enhance the strength of its air force by opting to purchase Chinese JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets. Azerbaijan has currently signed a deal for 24 new jets. The entire deal is for the purchase of a total of 40 jets at $4.2 billion. If Azerbaijan uses these aircraft against its adversary Armenia, it may have to contend with India's Akash air defense system, as India has sold its Akash system to Armenia. To counter the weapons received by Azerbaijan from Pakistan, Turkey, and China, Armenia has weapons from India. A report from the Bulgarian military post states that Azerbaijan signed a deal for 16 JF-17 Thunder Block III jet airplanes in February 2024. This deal was worth 1.6 billion dollars. Now, a deal for 24 more aircraft has been made between the two countries. The JF-17 jet has been jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Industry Group. It is cheaper than Western aircraft such as the F-16 or Eurofighter Typhoon and is easier to maintain. Therefore, Azerbaijan has purchased it. How powerful is the JF-17? The JF-17 fighter jet is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft. Its length is 14.93 meters. It is equipped with the Russian RD-93MA turbofan engine, which allows it to reach a speed of 1.6 Mach and an altitude of 50,000 feet. This jet features the KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which helps it track targets over long distances. The JF-17 Thunder Block-III has avionics and a helmet-mounted display system. It can operate with a variety of weapons, such as guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and PL-15E air-to-air missiles. This jet has eight hardpoints, allowing it to carry up to 4,000 kilograms of weight. In this way, this aircraft will significantly enhance Azerbaijan's military capabilities. Armenia-Azerbaijan Tension There is tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan is receiving continuous arms supplies from Turkey and Pakistan. On the other hand, Armenia has friendship with India. For India, Armenia has been not only a defense partner but also a political partner in the region. It has supported India's position on Jammu and Kashmir. India has provided Armenia with the Akash defense system for air security. This system is particularly crucial for Armenia. Additionally, Armenia has received ammunition, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, and anti-tank weapons from India. Armenia has also received the advanced towed artillery gun system howitzer from India.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
74 years of China-Pakistan relations: A historical overview
Listen to article This year, China and Pakistan are celebrating their 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which were established on May 21, 1951. Since then, Pakistan and China have had historical ties deeply rooted in mutual trust, shared strategic interests, and support at the regional and global level. The 1965 Indo-Pakistan war proved to be a real catalyst in cementing these ties, as China fully supported Pakistan. China's image improved exponentially after the war and positively impacted the Pakistani psyche. For instance, China always supported Pakistan's stance on Kashmir while Pakistan endorses the 'One China Principle' and firmly supports China's stance on Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries have also enhanced their economic, defense, and cultural ties. This is a unique and historic time for Pakistan and China as Pakistan won the battle from India and destroyed the enemy's six jet fighters, including three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, and one SU-30, by using Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets. Earlier in 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian MiG-21 by a JF-17 fighter jet jointly co-developed and manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Likewise, China's made PL-15E air-to-air missile was also used in the recent airstrikes by Pakistan's Air Force (PAF) on India, as per media reports. The recent military combat between the PAF and the Indian Air Force (IAF) has drawn the attention of the whole world towards the effectiveness and accuracy of Chinese weaponry, including fighter aircraft and air defense missiles. The military experts on international media are discussing the war arms credibility of China and the capability of the use of these weapons by Pakistan's forces in a short-term military encounter between the two neighbors and traditional rivals. Resultantly, the market of the Chinese Aircraft manufacturers goes up, and according to Bloomberg, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's market value rose by more than 55 billion yuan, over a quarter increase, underscoring investor confidence in the jet's perceived battlefield effectiveness. The year 2025 should be celebrated as a year of strong defense ties between China and Pakistan. The 74th anniversary is significant for two aspects for both brotherly countries. For Pakistan, it has won the battle against India by using Chinese fighter jets and missiles, and for China, the military weaponry emerged as the most credible fighting arms compared with the western-made. This is the second time when Chinese military weapons were used by Pakistan against Indian aggression, and it has successfully passed the test, and now it is also a pride for China that the world is discussing the significance of the Chinese-made defense arms. As a result of the recent conflict, both the Chinese and the Pakistani nations came closer, and it is being felt that both are holding each other's hands and protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, strategic interest, and moving towards further strengthening a strong bilateral relationship. This expression can be witnessed on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, TikTok in Pakistan, while on Weibo and WeChat in China. The conflict between India and Pakistan is over now, and this is high time for Pakistan to look into the internal security affairs, particularly in Balochistan, and launch an operation against the terrorist outfit Balochistan Liberation Army. The elimination of the BLA from Balochistan would provide an opportunity for the smooth functioning of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and ensure further Chinese investments in Pakistan. The Chinese investors are ready to bring their investments to Pakistan, but the issue of security is the main obstacle and which must be sorted out as a top priority. The CPEC has become a rare window of opportunity for Pakistan's economic development, and the total investment volume is estimated now at around $62 billion and of out if it $25 billion has already been spent on multiple energy and infrastructure projects. Thus, Pakistan should provide foolproof security to Chinese workers and a safe environment for timely investments and completion of the projects under the CPEC. In addition to this, China should also enhance cooperation with Pakistan by providing advanced technology and security equipment for surveillance to implement Pakistan's 'neighborhood watch strategy' to prevent insurgents from disrupting CPEC projects. As China has always supported Pakistan in combating terrorism and maintaining regional stability. In my view, an economically strong Pakistan is a guarantee for regional peace and stability; any opposition to the CPEC thus evokes negative vibes in Pakistan. Over time, the China-Pakistan relationship has deepened further, and both countries have enhanced defense and economic cooperation. With the implementation of the CPEC projects, deepening cultural and educational links and unprecedented military collaboration, the friendship would be further strengthened in the upcoming years. The writer is a senior journalist, former fellow of ICFJ, and PhD from Tsinghua University.
