SOURCE: AFI
Pakistan, the world’s largest operator of Chinese weapons systems, is reevaluating its defense procurement strategy following the disappointing performance of Chinese-supplied equipment during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor, in May 2025. The conflict exposed significant shortcomings in Chinese military technology, prompting Pakistan to increasingly turn to Turkey for advanced radar and air defense systems, despite the higher costs of 50–70% compared to Chinese alternatives. This shift comes as Jordan and several African countries have also faced challenges with sub-standard Chinese-supplied unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and weapons systems, highlighting broader concerns about the reliability of China’s defense exports.
Pakistan has long relied on China as its primary arms supplier, with 81% of its imported weapons over the past five years originating from Beijing, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This dependency stems from economic constraints and favorable financing terms offered by China, which have allowed Pakistan to modernize its military despite financial instability. However, the lack of combat testing for Chinese weapons—given China’s absence from major conflicts in over four decades—has left Pakistan bearing the consequences of procuring affordable but often substandard equipment.
During Operation Sindoor, which erupted after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, 2025, Pakistan deployed a range of Chinese systems, including the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10CE and JF-17 fighter jets. Despite claims of downing Indian aircraft, independent reports and Indian military statements indicate that Chinese weapons largely failed to deliver. India’s air defense systems, including the indigenous Akash and MR-SAM, effectively neutralized Pakistani missile and drone attacks, while Indian strikes penetrated Pakistan’s air defenses, targeting key sites like the Muridke headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and multiple airbases. The Chinese-made HQ-9 system, promoted as a flagship of stealth radar technology, was notably ineffective, with Indian missiles striking with precision, as evidenced by before-and-after satellite imagery.
This poor performance echoes the experiences of other nations reliant on Chinese defense equipment. Jordan, along with African countries like Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco, has faced issues with Chinese UAVs such as the CH-4, which have been criticized for reliability and quality concerns. A 2022 report by the American think tank RAND Corporation highlighted that China’s defense exports often suffer from malfunctions, impacting operational timelines and draining military budgets. For instance, Pakistan’s own F-22P frigates, acquired from China, have been plagued by defects in missile imaging devices, infrared sensors, and engines, according to a Geopolitica report.
The fallout from Operation Sindoor has led Pakistan to pivot towards Turkey, specifically eyeing Aselsan’s ALP-300G AESA long-range radar for its air defense needs. The ALP-300G, with its advanced digital beamforming and ability to track low RCS targets like stealth aircraft, offers a significant upgrade over the Chinese systems that failed to detect Indian strikes. However, this shift comes at a steep cost—Turkish systems are 50–70% more expensive than their Chinese counterparts, a significant burden for Pakistan given its economic challenges, including a strained budget and reliance on international loans.
Pakistan’s decision to procure from Turkey reflects a broader disillusionment with Chinese technology, exacerbated by the lack of accountability from Chinese suppliers for maintenance and repairs. Countries like Myanmar have had to seek third-party assistance, such as Pakistani technicians, to address issues with Chinese systems like the JF-17. For Pakistan, the cost of cheap Chinese equipment has proven high in operational terms, with the recent conflict highlighting the gap between promised capabilities and real-world performance. The failure of systems like the HQ-9 and PL-15 missiles has not only embarrassed Pakistan but also damaged China’s reputation as a reliable arms exporter, with Beijing reportedly pressuring Islamabad to conceal evidence of these shortcomings to protect its defense industry’s global standing.
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