SOURCE: AFI
At the recent CNN-News18 Defence Townhall, Lt Gen Vinod G Khandare (Retd.), former Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence, delivered a candid and incisive assessment of the reliability of Chinese military equipment, particularly the kind supplied to nations like Pakistan. His remarks cast a spotlight on the credibility of China’s military hardware, raising critical questions about its performance in real-world combat scenarios and the strategic implications for India’s adversaries.
Lt Gen Khandare minced no words as he questioned the combat-tested credentials of Chinese missile systems and other military equipment. While these systems may appear formidable on paper, boasting sleek designs and impressive technical specifications, their effectiveness in actual battle remains unproven. This skepticism is particularly significant given China’s role as a major arms supplier to countries like Pakistan, which relies heavily on Chinese platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and the PL-15 air-to-air missile.
Khandare suggested that China’s export of military hardware to Pakistan serves a dual purpose. Beyond strengthening its ally, China may be using Pakistan as a testing ground for its unproven systems. By supplying equipment like the JF-17 and PL-15, which have not been battle-tested, China can observe their performance in operational conditions, learn from any shortcomings, and refine its own arsenal. This strategy, while pragmatic for Beijing, raises serious concerns about the reliability of the equipment Pakistan depends on for its defense.
“China gives them [Pakistan] these systems so they can be tested, and the Chinese can learn from the mistakes,” Khandare remarked, hinting at a calculated move by Beijing to offload experimental platforms while bolstering its own technological advancements.
Khandare’s critique extended beyond equipment to the systemic issues plaguing the Chinese military-industrial complex. He pointed to recent developments within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), where several high-ranking generals have been sacked by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on charges of corruption. These purges, according to Khandare, are not only tied to financial misconduct but also to the production of substandard weapons platforms. The pressure to fast-track production and meet ambitious military modernization goals has led to compromises in quality, further eroding confidence in Chinese military hardware.
The combination of corruption allegations and poor-quality platforms suggests deeper structural challenges within China’s defense ecosystem. These issues could have far-reaching implications, particularly for nations like Pakistan that rely heavily on Chinese systems to counterbalance India’s growing military capabilities.
In a world where military posturing often relies on perception and propaganda, Lt Gen Khandare’s remarks serve as a wake-up call. For India, the questionable reliability of Chinese equipment in the hands of adversaries like Pakistan could be both a challenge and an opportunity. While Pakistan’s arsenal may appear formidable on the surface, its untested nature and potential vulnerabilities could tilt the strategic balance in India’s favor during a conflict.
However, Khandare’s observations also underscore the need for India to remain vigilant. The evolving dynamics of China’s military-industrial complex and its strategic partnership with Pakistan demand a nuanced approach to defense planning. India must continue to invest in cutting-edge, combat-proven technologies and strengthen its own defense ecosystem to maintain a decisive edge.
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