Pakistan Claims Chinese Weapons Performed Exceptionally Against India During Operation Sindoor

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a development that has reverberated across defence circles from Beijing to Washington, Pakistan has formally hailed the combat performance of Chinese-made weapons following its brief but intense four-day conflict with India in May 2025.

The engagement—Pakistan’s most severe military confrontation with India since the 2019 Balakot crisis—served as the first real-world test of Beijing’s next-generation combat systems, from the Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” multirole fighter to the long-range PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile.

Pakistani authorities claim the J-10C, armed with the PL-15, shot down three Indian Rafales, one Su-30MKI, and one Mirage-2000, in what Islamabad calls a “turning point” in South Asian air combat history.

Military spokesman Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry declared that Chinese systems, including the J-10C, “demonstrated exceptionally well,” describing the encounter as the first comprehensive validation of Beijing’s modern arms under live-fire conditions.

He added that Pakistan “never tried to play with figures and facts,” while confirming Islamabad’s internal tally of seven Indian aircraft losses across the four-day engagement.

The May 2025 conflict, known informally as the Four-Day War, erupted after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, left 26 civilians dead.

India immediately blamed Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, accusing Islamabad of orchestrating the assault.

New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025—a series of precision missile and drone strikes on nine militant facilities across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and parts of Punjab.

The escalation represented a shift in India’s military doctrine: rapid, punitive, and calibrated to impose costs before international mediation could freeze the conflict.

Within hours, Pakistan retaliated under its doctrine of “quid pro quo plus”, vowing to respond with equal or greater force.

Over the next 72 hours, both nuclear-armed states unleashed a torrent of airstrikes, drone swarms, and electronic warfare operations, before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted hostilities on 10 May.

Anatomy of a Modern South Asian Air War

Operation Sindoor opened with India’s use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (range ≈ 300 km, speed Mach 2.8) against Pakistani logistic and intelligence sites.

Pakistan’s counter-strike package combined J-10Cs, JF-17 Block III fighters, and Chinese-origin Wing Loong II UAVs coordinated through real-time data links supported by Beijing’s Yaogan satellites.

More than 100 combat aircraft were reportedly airborne on 7 May alone—the largest combined sortie rate in South Asia since 1971.

Pakistani pilots used networked radar feeds from Saab Erieye and Karakoram Eagle ZDK-03 AWACS to remain electronically silent while launching long-range salvos of PL-15s at approaching Indian formations.

Indian Air Force Rafales, equipped with Thales RBE2-AA AESA radars and Meteor BVRAAMs, were expected to dominate, yet Pakistani analysts assert the Rafales “walked into a well-orchestrated trap.”

The air battle demonstrated how both nations have entered an era of network-centric warfare, where information dominance and data fusion proved as decisive as the aircraft themselves.

Indian Su-30MKIs attempted to use their N011M Bars radar to detect and jam incoming threats, but Pakistani electronic warfare pods and data relay links effectively blinded several formations before missile impact.

Pakistan’s integration of Turkish-made Akinci drones provided live surveillance of Indian air corridors, allowing J-10C pilots to time their launches with near-perfect synchronization across multiple attack vectors.

For India, the engagement exposed the limitations of its fragmented communication systems—where Rafales, Sukhois, and Mirage-2000s operated on separate data networks—reducing situational awareness and reaction time during fast-moving BVR exchanges.

J-10C: The ‘Vigorous Dragon’ in Combat

The Chengdu J-10C, a 4.5-generation fighter powered by the WS-10B Taihang turbofan, became the star of Pakistan’s aerial campaign.

Integrated with the KLJ-7A AESA radar and compatible with the PL-15 missile, the J-10C offered Pakistan a genuine long-range interception capability that rivalled India’s Rafales.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) sources claim that on the first night of battle, a J-10C formation downed two Rafales at a distance of nearly 180 kilometres—beyond the engagement envelope of any Indian missile in service.

The jets’ Data Link 17 system—analogous to the U.S. Link-16—enabled them to fire from radar-silent positions using target coordinates supplied by AEW&C aircraft.

Chinese technicians in Kamra’s Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) reportedly monitored mission data, making this the first joint China-Pakistan live-combat evaluation of the type.

The J-10C’s superior thrust-to-weight ratio and advanced fly-by-wire flight control system gave Pakistani pilots the agility to perform high-altitude missile launches while maintaining radar stealth through minimal emissions.

Its infrared search and track (IRST) system, integrated with the KLJ-7A radar, allowed the aircraft to detect Indian fighters even when they attempted to jam or turn off their radar signatures—providing a crucial advantage in the dense electromagnetic environment over Kashmir.

The aircraft’s open-architecture avionics enabled seamless integration with Pakistan’s command network, allowing mission planners to upload dynamic threat data and missile targeting parameters mid-flight.

Operational analysts believe the J-10C’s success has validated Pakistan’s decision to diversify from the JF-17 platform, creating a two-tiered fighter fleet that combines affordability with advanced BVR dominance, giving the PAF strategic flexibility it previously lacked.

PL-15: The Missile That Changed the Equation

At the heart of Pakistan’s aerial success was the PL-15—a dual-pulse, active-radar BVR missile with an estimated range exceeding 200 kilometres.

Powered by a solid-fuel motor and guided by a data-link + inertial + terminal active radar system, the PL-15 represents China’s answer to the U.S. AIM-120D AMRAAM and Europe’s Meteor.

This was the missile’s first confirmed combat use outside China, and its performance stunned regional observers.

According to PAF debriefs, the missile achieved multiple hits despite Indian electronic countermeasures, suggesting high resistance to jamming and exceptional kinetic energy at long range.

Analysts note that the PL-15’s seeker and data-link technology benefited from joint Chinese-Russian research on dual-pulse propulsion, giving it sustained endgame energy well beyond Western equivalents.

For India, the revelation that its Meteor missiles—long considered the region’s premier BVR weapon—were out-ranged and out-accelerated by the PL-15 has triggered what one Delhi defence official called “a doctrinal shock.”

The PL-15’s active radar seeker, believed to use gallium nitride (GaN) modules, provided stronger signal power and greater resistance to Indian electronic jamming than older missile designs.

Its dual-pulse motor enabled the missile to sustain terminal acceleration, allowing it to chase down maneuvering targets at high altitude even after long-range launches beyond 150 kilometres.

In the May 2025 conflict, the PL-15’s real-time mid-course correction from AEW&C platforms ensured accuracy even against Rafales deploying towed decoys and electronic countermeasures.

Defence experts now rank the PL-15 as the world’s most capable operational BVR missile after the U.S. AIM-260 JATM, and its performance has sparked new interest from other Chinese allies, including Myanmar and Saudi Arabia, seeking to modernize their air combat arsenals.

Comparative Table: J-10C vs Rafale

Feature	J-10C (Vigorous Dragon)	Rafale F3-R
Origin	China	France
Engine	WS-10B Taihang	Snecma M88-2
Radar	KLJ-7A AESA	RBE2-AA AESA
Max Speed	Mach 2.0	Mach 1.8
Combat Range	1,200 km (typical load)	1,850 km
Primary BVR Missile	PL-15 (200 + km)	Meteor (150 km)
Notable Advantage	Superior BVR reach and data-link integration	Sensor fusion and electronic warfare suite

Comparative Table: PL-15 vs Meteor

Specification	PL-15	Meteor
Origin	China	Europe (MBDA)
Range	200 + km	150 km
Propulsion	Dual-pulse solid rocket	Ramjet sustainer
Guidance	Active radar + data link	Active radar + data link
Seeker Resistance to ECM	High	Very High
Notable Advantage	Higher initial velocity and energy retention	Superior no-escape zone within mid-range band

HQ-9 and Integrated Air Defence Network

On the ground, Pakistan deployed HQ-9/P long-range SAMs, capable of intercepting targets at 200 km altitude and 30 km range, providing a strategic shield over Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

These Chinese-built systems, networked with Sweden’s Erieye E-AWACS and indigenous KARAKORAM EW modules, formed a layered “kill-chain” architecture.

Indian strike packages attempting to penetrate this web reportedly faced GPS-jamming and decoy drones that degraded the effectiveness of Israeli-supplied Harop loitering munitions.

The HQ-9 batteries’ performance further enhanced the credibility of China’s surface-to-air technology, which several Gulf states and Turkey are also evaluating.

The HQ-9/P, derived from China’s HQ-9B and functionally comparable to the U.S. Patriot PAC-3, uses a phased-array radar and cold-launch system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic threats simultaneously.

During the May 2025 conflict, Pakistani radar operators used the HQ-9’s Track-Via-Missile (TVM) guidance to intercept incoming BrahMos-class targets, reportedly achieving a near-80 percent hit probability under simulated saturation attacks.

Its integration with Pakistan’s National Air Defence Automation System (NADAS) allowed commanders to fuse radar feeds from Chinese, Swedish, and locally built sensors, forming a seamless command picture across multiple theatres.

Electronic warfare units deployed near Lahore and Skardu employed the Saab Erieye and KARAKORAM EW Suite to jam Indian GPS signals and confuse missile guidance systems, reducing the precision of Indian standoff attacks.

Analysts note that this networked defence model has transformed Pakistan’s traditionally reactive air defence posture into a dynamic, pre-emptive grid capable of coordinated shoot-look-shoot cycles against multiple high-speed threats.

India’s Counter-Moves and the S-400 Factor

India relied heavily on its S-400 Triumf systems sourced from Russia (≈ US $5.4 billion / RM 25.3 billion), which achieved their first operational intercepts during the conflict.

The S-400 reportedly shot down multiple incoming drones and one Pakistani Ra’ad cruise missile at ranges exceeding 120 km.

However, India’s early warning network struggled against Pakistan’s use of decoys and electromagnetic deception.

Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.P. Singh stated that India “destroyed about a dozen Pakistani aircraft,” while acknowledging unspecified losses.

Deputy Army Chief Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh accused China of providing Pakistan with “all possible support, including live satellite and radar inputs.”

India’s counter-narrative emphasized its resilience and the robustness of its integrated air-defence command despite the loss of high-end platforms.

The S-400 Triumf system, built around the 92N6E multi-function radar and 48N6DM interceptor missile, became India’s primary shield against Pakistani missile barrages and long-range drones.

Its radar, with a detection range of nearly 600 km, enabled India to track Pakistani aircraft movements deep within their airspace, though terrain masking in the Himalayan foothills limited engagement efficiency.

Indian sources confirmed that the S-400’s 40N6 missile, capable of hitting targets at up to 400 km, was fired in combat for the first time, marking a milestone in Russia’s export performance claims.

However, the system’s dependency on static radar sites made it vulnerable to Pakistan’s electronic deception tactics and decoy drone waves, forcing India to frequently relocate batteries to avoid targeting.

Defence analysts in New Delhi acknowledged that while the S-400 preserved India’s strategic deterrence, the May 2025 conflict exposed gaps in its joint integration with indigenous systems like Akash-NG and the Israeli Barak-8, prompting urgent modernization plans to create a unified, layered “Iron Dome for the Subcontinent.”

Implications for Regional Military Balances

The May 2025 conflict fundamentally altered South Asia’s perception of Chinese military technology.

Pakistan’s combat validation of J-10C and PL-15 systems has boosted Beijing’s arms-export credibility, particularly among Southeast Asian customers such as Indonesia and Myanmar.

For Islamabad, the success validates two decades of deep strategic integration with China across training, production, and C4ISR networks.

For New Delhi, the outcome underscores vulnerabilities in its multi-vendor fleet and the need to accelerate indigenous development under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Indian analysts argue that the Rafale’s performance gap was less about the platform itself and more about a lack of real-time networking equivalent to Pakistan’s Chinese-supported systems.

The clash also highlighted the growing tech-trilateral in Asia: China’s hardware, Turkey’s drone warfare experience, and Pakistan’s operational adaptability.

Preliminary damage assessments indicate combined economic losses exceeding US $2.1 billion (RM 9.8 billion) from destroyed infrastructure, disrupted trade, and missile expenditures.

Each PL-15 costs roughly US $1.2 million (RM 5.6 million) per unit, yet its successful employment proved cost-effective compared with the US $3 million Meteor.

Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese logistical and satellite backing raised concerns in Western capitals about Beijing’s near-real-time operational involvement.

For China, the clash served as a global marketing showcase—demonstrating how its weapons can challenge Western systems in contested airspace.

A Prelude to the J-35 Era

Defence insiders in Islamabad confirm that discussions are under way with Beijing for a follow-on procurement of the fifth-generation J-35A stealth fighter, potentially within three years.

If realised, Pakistan would become the first foreign operator of a Chinese stealth platform—further shifting the regional balance against India’s Rafales and Tejas Mk1A fleet.

The J-35A’s internal-bay compatibility with an upgraded PL-15E variant would grant Pakistan first-strike BVR capability under low-observability conditions.

For India, this possibility underscores the urgency of pursuing its delayed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, intended to field a home-grown fifth-generation jet by the early 2030s.

Analysts believe the J-35A, equipped with twin WS-19 engines and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar comparable to the F-35’s AN/APG-81, would allow Pakistan to conduct stealthy precision strikes deep inside enemy territory while remaining undetected by most conventional radar systems.

If integrated with China’s KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft and BeiDou satellite network, the J-35A could form the backbone of a fully networked air combat ecosystem, giving Pakistan real-time targeting data across the entire Kashmir theatre.

Beijing views Pakistan as the ideal launch customer to validate the J-35A’s export configuration, helping refine its systems for potential future buyers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Defence observers in New Delhi warn that once the J-35A enters Pakistani service, the regional balance of airpower could tilt decisively, forcing India to accelerate not only the AMCA program but also the acquisition of more Rafales and long-range Meteor missile upgrades to maintain credible deterrence.

Lessons Learned: The New Grammar of Air Warfare

The May 2025 confrontation—hailed by analysts as the world’s first limited “drone-and-missile” war between nuclear powers—has redefined regional deterrence models.

Both nations deliberately kept the conflict below nuclear thresholds yet demonstrated unprecedented integration of air, cyber, and space domains.

Electronic warfare proved decisive, illustrating that data-link superiority can outweigh pure platform performance.

The PL-15’s dominance established that future air combat will hinge on long-range first-shot advantage supported by networked sensors rather than dogfighting prowess.

Pakistan’s experience will likely influence the PLAAF’s own tactical doctrines, while India will redouble efforts to enhance its AEW&C coverage and secure new BVR inventories.

Conclusion: A Fragile Peace, A Changing Sky

The four-day war of May 2025 ended without territorial change, yet its implications will echo for decades.

Pakistan’s triumphal endorsement of Chinese systems marks a geostrategic inflection point—where Beijing’s defence exports move from theory to proven battlefield reality.

India, chastened but unbowed, is expected to fast-track indigenous missiles like the Astra Mk II (BVR range 160 km) and develop an extended-range Astra Mk III to restore parity.

Regional stability now hinges on both nations’ ability to institutionalise communication and crisis-control mechanisms amid escalating technological rivalry.

As one Western defence analyst noted, “South Asia has entered the era of algorithmic warfare—where whoever sees first and fires first, wins.”

The ceasefire holds—for now—but the strategic sky over Kashmir has changed forever. — DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA