China accounted for 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports over the past five years, marking a significant increase in defence collaboration between the two nations, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). It represents a seven-percentage-point rise from the previous five-year period (2015–2019) when China supplied 74% of Pakistan’s military imports.
The surge aligns with China’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, spanning aircraft carriers to sixth-generation fighter jets, while also expanding its weapons exports to key allies. As Beijing strengthens its defence ties with Islamabad, its strategic influence in South Asia continues to grow, countering U.S. regional interests.
Between 2020 and 2024, China was responsible for 63% of Pakistan’s total arms imports, amounting to $5.28 billion. During this period, Pakistan’s overall arms imports surged by 61%, with Islamabad focusing on advanced military hardware from China, including long-range reconnaissance drones and Type 054A guided-missile frigates. Key acquisitions included Pakistan’s first spy ship, the Rizwan; over 600 VT-4 battle tanks; 36 J-10CE fighter jets to complement the existing JF-17 fleet; and various missile defence systems such as HQ-9 long-range, LY-80 medium-range, and FN-6 portable systems. Furthermore, China delivered four Type 054A frigates, two Azmat-class corvettes, and ten CH-4A drones to Pakistan.
China has been Pakistan’s primary arms supplier since the 1990s, but growing hostilities with India—particularly since the 2016 border skirmishes—have driven Islamabad to boost defence spending, further strengthening its reliance on Beijing.
Military expert Siemon Wezeman from SIPRI noted that China is effectively Pakistan’s “only real ally” in military matters, providing a crucial strategic advantage in South Asia. Conversely, Pakistan offers China a secure access point to the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.
China’s military collaboration with Pakistan is expected to deepen further. Military analyst Song Zhongping suggested that Beijing may consider exporting its fifth-generation J-35 fighter jets to Pakistan, especially as India evaluates acquiring U.S. F-35s or Russian Su-57s.
Meanwhile, the U.S., once a key arms supplier to Pakistan, has significantly reduced its military sales over concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear program, counterterrorism efforts, and democratic governance.
With China and Pakistan growing closer, clear geopolitical divisions are emerging between a “China camp” and a “non-China camp” led by the U.S. and India. Wezeman warned that India-Pakistan tensions remain a potential flashpoint, underscoring the need for effective arms control and crisis management mechanisms to prevent escalation.
Team BharatShakti
