New Delhi / Islamabad / Beijing —
The recent four-day conflict between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan has concluded with a ceasefire and mutual claims of victory. Yet, one unexpected party is drawing increased global attention from the fallout — China’s defence industry.
The escalation began on 7 May, when India launched “Operation Sindoor”, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. This was in retaliation for the 22 April massacre of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir — an attack India blames on Pakistan-based militant groups. Islamabad has denied any involvement.
In the following days, both countries engaged in a series of military operations, deploying missiles, drones, and fighter aircraft. While Indian forces reportedly used French-made Rafale and Russian Su-30MKI jets, Pakistan responded with Chinese-origin J-10C and JF-17 fighters, the latter co-produced with Beijing.
Pakistan Claims Downing Indian Rafales, Delhi Remains Silent
Islamabad claims it shot down at least six Indian aircraft, including the much-hyped Rafale fighters. India has not officially confirmed any losses but reiterated that “all pilots are back home,” according to Air Marshal AK Bharti of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
“Losses are part of combat,” Bharti stated, without addressing specific claims.
Beijing’s Fighter Jet Performance in Spotlight
A Reuters report citing U.S. officials suggests Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10C jets to launch air-to-air missiles during the aerial confrontations. Though unverified, the reports have ignited a surge of interest and triumphalism on Chinese social media, while shares of AVIC Chengdu, the manufacturer of J-10 aircraft, reportedly rose by 40% last week.
“This was the first time China’s advanced systems were tested in real combat,” said Zhou Bo, a retired Chinese PLA colonel. “The outcome has shown China’s defence sector has matured.”
Still, Western analysts caution against drawing premature conclusions. Professor Walter Ladwig of King’s College London noted that India may have intentionally avoided full-scale escalation.
“In traditional air operations, you’d gain superiority before striking ground targets. India seemed more focused on avoiding broader confrontation,” Ladwig explained.
Indian Strikes Hit Strategic Targets
Despite losing control of the media narrative, India claimed its forces destroyed key terror hubs and Pakistani air infrastructure. Reports indicate Indian forces targeted 11 Pakistani air bases, including the sensitive Nur Khan air base near Rawalpindi — close to Pakistan’s military headquarters. Precision-guided missiles reportedly hit runways and radar installations, temporarily disabling key facilities.
The strikes involved drones, loitering munitions, and long-range missiles, and are said to have bypassed Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence systems deployed by Pakistan.
U.S. Pressures Both Sides to Stand Down
As cross-border military activity intensified, the United States and its allies intervened diplomatically, urging restraint. Both countries agreed to a ceasefire, preventing further escalation.
China Emerges as the Tactical Beneficiary
For Beijing, the conflict offered a real-world stage to showcase its growing military export capabilities. Although China has not commented on claims its jets outperformed Western aircraft, analysts suggest the perception of Chinese capability is boosting its global arms image — particularly among developing nations.
“This is a ‘DeepSeek moment’ for Chinese weapons — much like their AI industry earlier this year,” said Zhou Bo, drawing a parallel to China’s rise in tech sectors.
However, past reliability issues with Chinese jets remain a concern. Countries like Myanmar and Nigeria have previously grounded Chinese aircraft due to technical faults, raising questions about long-term performance.
Implications for India and Regional Security
The brief war also underscores growing regional instability. India and China have a long-standing border dispute, most recently flaring in Ladakh in 2020. With China’s J-20 stealth jets already in active service, India is under pressure to accelerate defence modernization and reduce its dependence on foreign imports.
Security expert Imtiaz Gul said, “The depth of Pakistan-China defence cooperation clearly caught Indian planners off guard.”
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