When Rafales fell from the skies and markets trembled, another reality quietly asserted itself: the resilience of Pakistan-China defence ties. The recent war between Pakistan and India, triggered by the Pahalgam attack in April 2025 and followed by Indian missile strikes across the Line of Control, has once again reminded the world of the fragility of South Asia’s security architecture.
The 2025 war, was significant because, for the first time, Chinese platforms were used extensively in a high-intensity conflict against India’s most modern Western-acquired systems. Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, launched under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, showcased the effectiveness of this cooperation. The Pakistan Air Force’s deployment of J-10C fighter jets, equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, proved decisive in downing India’s Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft. This was more than a tactical success; it was a validation of Chinese technology under real-world combat conditions.
The Pakistan Air Force’s response, shooting down five Indian fighter jets, including advanced Rafales, captured global headlines and shook international markets. Beyond the immediate intensity of the battlefield, an equally significant dimension emerged the pivotal role of China in strengthening Pakistan’s defence preparedness and the evolving contours of the Pakistan-China strategic partnership, the essential contribution of China to Pakistan’s defence readiness and the continued evolution of their comprehensive partnership.
A legacy of cooperation
Pakistan-China defence relations date back to the early 1960s, when Beijing stepped in as a reliable partner following Pakistan’s disenchantment with Western powers during the Cold War. After the 1962 Sino-Indian war, both countries found a shared interest in balancing India. By the late 1960s, China began supplying military hardware to Pakistan. The relationship deepened further after the 1971 war with India, as Beijing became one of Islamabad’s principal arm suppliers and political backers.
In the 1980s and 1990s, this cooperation extended into nuclear and missile domains, laying the foundation for Pakistan’s credible deterrence posture. The joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet symbolised not only military collaboration but also technological transfer i.e an area where Western partners were often reluctant. Over decades, China has become Pakistan’s largest defence supplier, providing everything from small arms to submarines, radars to air defence systems.
Chinese systems in combat: A turning point
The 2025 war was significant because, for the first time, Chinese platforms were used extensively in a high-intensity conflict against India’s most modern Western-acquired systems. Pakistan’s deployment of J-10C fighter jets, equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, proved decisive in downing India’s Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft. This was more than a tactical success; it was a validation of Chinese technology under real-world combat conditions.
For India, the loss of Rafales, hyped as a game-changer with advanced radar, electronic warfare suites, and long-range strike capacity was a symbolic and material setback. For Pakistan, the performance of the J-10Cs highlighted the dividends of long-term defence cooperation with Beijing. In contrast to India’s reliance on costly foreign imports, Islamabad’s decision to integrate Chinese systems has proven not only affordable but also operationally effective.
The diplomatic dimension
China’s role was not limited to hardware. During the crisis, Beijing exercised careful restraint and sent unmistakable signals of solidarity with Islamabad. At the United Nations Security Council, China’s statements not only called for restraint but also emphasised the need to address “legitimate security concerns” of Pakistan. This amounts to be a subtle rebuke to India’s aggressive posture.
Diplomatically, Beijing constantly assured Islamabad of continued military and economic support, even if the crisis escalated. This quiet but firm backing reaffirmed what both sides often call their “iron brotherhood.” For Pakistan, China’s presence as a political shield was just as critical as its role as a defence supplier.
Markets, defense, and symbolism
The downing of the Rafales had global repercussions beyond the battlefield. Dassault Aviation’s shares in Paris fell nearly 6% on May 8, amid fears of reputational damage and potential disruption to export contracts. Defence analysts noted that future sales campaigns in the Middle East and Southeast Asia could now face difficult questions. For India, the incident triggered domestic criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heavy reliance on expensive imports, while reinforcing the perception of vulnerability despite modernisation.
Pakistan’s own markets experienced turbulence, with the KSE-100 dropping 3.1% before recovering as nationalist sentiment and IMF funding provided a cushion. Yet what stood out most was that the systems delivering results were Chinese, not Western.
Strategic context: The great power angle
The war must also be understood against the backdrop of shifting great power rivalries. India’s growing defence cooperation with the United States, France, and Israel has transformed South Asia into a key theatre of the Indo-Pacific strategy. Washington’s support for New Delhi as a counterweight to Beijing has intensified India’s military buildup.
For Pakistan, this alignment has narrowed options. Western arms are not only costly but often come with political conditions. In contrast, Chinese defence cooperation is relatively unconditional, affordable, and adaptable. The result is a deepening strategic alignment: as India gravitates toward the U.S. camp, Pakistan’s tilt toward China has become more pronounced. The 2025 war simply accelerated this process.
Beyond hardware: Industrial and security linkages
Pakistan-China defence ties are not confined to fighter jets and missiles. Naval cooperation has also expanded, with Pakistan acquiring Type 054 frigates and Hangor-class submarines from China. Air defence has been strengthened through the HQ-9 system, while ground forces benefit from joint exercises and equipment transfers. Increasingly, both sides are focusing on co-production and joint research, allowing Pakistan to gradually build indigenous capacity.
The economic security linkage is equally important. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, carries strategic as well as economic significance. Ensuring the security of CPEC routes, ports, and energy projects has become a shared objective.
Risks of overdependence
While the benefits of this partnership are undeniable, Pakistan must also ensure that it continues to expand its diplomatic and economic engagements globally. In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, the Pakistan-China axis will remain a decisive factor in shaping South Asia’s security architecture.