China Dominates Pakistan’s Arsenal: 81 Percent of Weapons Supplied Over the Last Five Years
During this period, 63 percent of China’s global arms exports were destined for Pakistan, with the total value of these transactions reaching an estimated US$5.28 billion (RM23.2 billion).
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Over the past five years, China has solidified its position as the largest supplier of military hardware to Pakistan, accounting for approximately 81 percent of Islamabad’s total arms imports, underscoring Beijing’s role as Pakistan’s most steadfast strategic ally.
This reinforces China’s influence in South Asia’s complex geopolitical landscape.
During this period, 63 percent of China’s global arms exports were destined for Pakistan, with the total value of these transactions reaching an estimated US$5.28 billion (RM23.2 billion).
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), this represents a seven percent increase from the preceding five-year span (2015-2020), during which China accounted for 74 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports.
The trend signals not only Pakistan’s increasing reliance on Beijing’s defense industry but also China’s ambitions to expand its strategic footprint in the region.
China’s rapidly evolving defense capabilities, combined with its tightening defense ties with Pakistan, have positioned Beijing as a key player in the security architecture of South Asia.
This growing alliance intensifies the strategic contest between China and the United States, as Washington seeks to counterbalance Beijing’s influence in the region.
The Swedish think tank SIPRI highlights that over the past five years, Pakistan has acquired a diverse range of modern weaponry from China, including advanced long-range drones, state-of-the-art Type 054A frigates, and sophisticated missile systems.
Locally assembled Chinese-made VT-4 Main Battle Tanks called “Haider”
China has been Pakistan’s principal defense supplier since the 1990s, but a critical shift occurred after the 2016 border skirmishes with India, which prompted Islamabad to escalate its defense expenditure.
This surge in military spending has further cemented Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese military hardware, making Beijing its indispensable partner in security and defense affairs.
Beyond military cooperation, the China-Pakistan alliance extends into economic and infrastructural domains, driven by multi-billion-dollar projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a crucial component of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
One of the most significant defense contracts between Pakistan and China in recent years has centered on naval expansion.
In 2015, the two nations signed a groundbreaking deal for the construction of eight Hangor-class submarines.
As part of the agreement, four submarines are being constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) under a technology transfer initiative, while the remaining four are being built by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry.
Type 039A (Hangor-class)
In April last year, China delivered the first Hangor II submarine to Pakistan under this US$5 billion (RM22 billion) deal, one of the largest military contracts Beijing has ever signed.
The Hangor-class submarines, based on the Chinese Type 039A/041 Yuan-class design, are outfitted with advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, significantly enhancing their underwater endurance.
All eight submarines are scheduled for delivery to the Pakistan Navy between 2022 and 2028, a move that is expected to substantially augment Pakistan’s maritime deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
According to SIPRI data, Pakistan has made several critical procurements from China, including its first intelligence-gathering ship, the PNS Rizwan, over 600 VT-4 main battle tanks (MBTs), and 36 J-10CE fourth-plus generation fighter jets.
The 87-meter-long PNS Rizwan, equipped with three large radomes housing sophisticated radar and sensor arrays, is a crucial asset for electronic surveillance and signals intelligence (SIGINT).
The vessel is reportedly tasked with monitoring ballistic missile launches, particularly those originating from regional adversaries such as India and Iran.
In addition to naval enhancements, Pakistan has also bolstered its armored divisions.
Islamabad signed a contract to acquire 679 VT-4 MBTs from China, which are being locally assembled and manufactured under the designation “Haider.”
Among the extensive inventory of Chinese military equipment in Pakistan’s arsenal are Al-Khalid MBTs (a localized version of the Type 90-II and Type 85-IIAP), self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank guided missile systems, air defense systems, small arms, and reconnaissance UAVs.
Pakistan’s Air Force has also undergone a significant transformation with the acquisition of modern Chinese fighter jets.
In 2022, Islamabad discreetly procured 25 J-10CE multi-role fighter jets from China, a direct response to India’s induction of 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Former Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad openly acknowledged that the J-10CE acquisition was aimed at neutralizing India’s aerial advantage, highlighting the deepening arms race between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Beyond the J-10CE, Pakistan is set to become the first foreign operator of the fifth-generation J-35A fighter jet.
Reports surfaced in December last year indicating that Islamabad had finalized a deal to acquire 40 of these advanced stealth aircraft, with deliveries expected to be completed within two years.
Pakistan’s J-10C
The J-35A, China’s second fifth-generation fighter after the J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” is equipped with cutting-edge avionics, stealth features, and enhanced combat capabilities.
Unlike the J-20, which remains restricted from export due to its classified technologies, the J-35A represents Beijing’s strategic push to expand its influence in global defense markets.
Reports of Pakistan’s J-35A acquisition gained traction following a high-profile visit by General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, to Islamabad.
During his visit, he engaged in confidential talks with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, further underscoring the deepening defense partnership between the two nations.
The introduction of the J-35A into Pakistan’s air force is expected to shift the balance of aerial power in the region.
With India still relying predominantly on fourth and 4.5-generation aircraft such as the Su-30MKI and Rafale, the deployment of the J-35A will provide Islamabad with a qualitative edge in air combat and stealth capabilities.
J-35A
With China’s unwavering military support, Pakistan’s defense modernization efforts are poised to reshape the strategic equilibrium in South Asia.
The continuous inflow of cutting-edge Chinese military technology not only enhances Pakistan’s conventional deterrence but also challenges India’s longstanding air, land, and naval supremacy.
As Beijing solidifies its military-industrial dominance in Pakistan, the growing defense ties between the two nations are likely to alter regional power dynamics, setting the stage for a more complex and intensified security competition in South Asia.