Chinese weapons power Pakistan in Kashmir conflict, but doubts remain

Analysts say a war between India and Pakistan could be rare test of Russian and Chinese arms, with ‘larger ramifications’ for Indo-Pacific

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The Pakistan Air Force has 20 Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets in service. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00pm, 11 May 2025Updated: 8:03pm, 11 May 2025

Pakistan’s Chinese-made weapons have shown strength against India’s Western and Russian ones in their clash over Kashmir, but analysts caution that it is too soon to say which side’s arms technology will prove superior in combat.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after India conducted military strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor, on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir on Wednesday.

The strikes were in response to a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered parts of Kashmir. The attack killed 26 civilians, most of whom were non-Muslim Indian tourists.

Citing intelligence reports, New Delhi said the terrorist groups involved in the attack were backed by Pakistan, and described the missile strikes as “precision strikes at terrorist camps” at nine locations, which it claimed were used to plan and direct attacks against India.

India reportedly deployed its fighter jet fleets, including French-made Rafale jets armed with Scalp missiles and AASM Hammer bombs that allow long- and medium-range precision strikes. Islamabad said it had shot down five of the Indian fighter aircraft, three of which it said were Rafale jets.

India has not yet acknowledged these claims, but French intelligence sources have confirmed that at least one of India’s Rafale planes had been shot down by Pakistan, according to CNN.

According to Reuters, citing a US official, Pakistan used its Chinese-made J-10C fighter to shoot down one of the Indian warplanes.