China exploited India-Pakistan conflict to test its weapons: US report
What's the story
China took advantage of the recent conflict between India and Pakistan in May to conduct a real-world combat test of its weapons systems, a United States congressional panel has revealed. The clash was the worst between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in over 25 years. During the conflict, India used French and Russian fighter jets, while Pakistan deployed a range of Chinese weapons.
Weapons test
Chinese weapons systems debut in India-Pakistan conflict
The clash also saw the first real-world test of modern Chinese weapons systems like the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile, PL-15 air-to-air missile, and J-10C fighter aircraft, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's annual report noted. The report said China "leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons, useful in the contexts of its ongoing border tensions with India and its expanding defense industry goals."
Promotion strategy
China uses conflict to promote its weapons
According to the report, the Chinese were quick to praise the triumphs of their weapons systems in the clash, and Pakistan's use of Chinese weapons to down Indian aircraft became a "particular selling point for Chinese embassy defense sales efforts." The report also cited French intelligence, saying China launched a disinformation campaign against Rafale sales while promoting its own J-35s. This included fake social media accounts and AI-generated images showing debris from aircraft allegedly shot down with Chinese weapons.
Claims made
Pakistan remained 'heavily reliant' on Chinese arms
"Chinese embassy officials convinced Indonesia to halt a purchase of Rafale jets already in process, furthering China's inroads into other regional actors' military procurements," it added. The USCC report also stated that Pakistan remained "heavily reliant" on Chinese armaments, citing reports that Beijing offered to supply 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 aircraft, and ballistic missile defense systems to Pakistan in June.
Military ties
China-Pakistan military cooperation and ongoing tensions
China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier, accounting for 81% of its arms imports over the past five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Swedish think tank. The two countries also conduct joint military exercises, such as the Warrior-VIII counterterrorism drills and China's participation in Pakistan's AMAN drills. Ironically, during the conflict, Beijing had called for "maximum restraint" and urged the warring neighbors to avoid taking actions that could "further complicate the situation."