China’s military technology has made its combat debut in the volatile Kashmir region, fueling nationalist pride at home while deepening geopolitical unease across South Asia and beyond. Pakistani officials claimed last week that Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets and PL-15E air-to-air missiles were used to down five Indian aircraft in a high-stakes clash, marking the first battlefield test for Beijing’s advanced weaponry.
Initially, the news was met with quiet celebration in Beijing — a validation of years of investment in modernizing China’s military. But as cross-border violence intensified and regional dynamics shifted, jubilation quickly gave way to concern in Chinese diplomatic circles. According to sources familiar with internal discussions, Chinese officials immediately began high-level meetings with Pakistani counterparts to assess the potential geopolitical fallout.
Beijing, striving to maintain a delicate balance between demonstrating military capability and preserving regional stability, adopted a cautious public tone. While Chinese state media subtly praised the performance of its defense systems, official statements called for restraint and emphasized the importance of peace between the nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan.
Behind the scenes, however, China’s tightly monitored social media platforms erupted with nationalist excitement. Patriotic commentators hailed the battlefield success of Chinese jets, even as Beijing avoided overtly celebrating the military milestone.
India, for its part, rejected Pakistani claims and pointed to its own technological prowess. In a statement issued Wednesday, New Delhi said its forces had “bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense systems” in just 23 minutes. Indian officials also released images allegedly showing fragments of PL-15E missiles — a claim that, if verified, would confirm the use of Chinese weaponry during the air conflict.
For Beijing, the episode underscores a larger strategic dilemma: how to promote its defense exports and military reputation without further alienating India, a critical regional rival and major player in the Indo-Pacific balance of power.
“The Chinese government is handling the situation with extreme caution,” said a source in Beijing familiar with internal policy discussions. “They are aware this isn’t the time to provoke India or jeopardize long-term regional interests.”
This latest escalation in Kashmir comes against a backdrop of historical animosity. India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars over the disputed region since 1947. Tensions reignited after the April 22 killing of 26 Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir — an attack New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Islamabad denied involvement, but the retaliatory missile strikes and ensuing aerial combat marked the most intense military exchange between the two countries in decades.
The conflict also drew in the United States. President Donald Trump swiftly claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire before either New Delhi or Islamabad confirmed any truce. Trump later stated the U.S. had warned both sides that continued hostilities would lead to a suspension of trade deals. Indian officials, however, denied that any trade threats were made or that Washington played a pivotal role in ending the fighting.
For Washington, the conflict presents both challenges and opportunities. The U.S. has long opposed Beijing’s deepening military ties with Pakistan, especially its role in supporting Islamabad’s missile programs. In 2024, the U.S. imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies supplying Pakistan’s defense sector, citing proliferation concerns.
Strategically, China’s expanding defense partnership with Pakistan serves as a counterweight to India, which in recent years has moved closer to Washington. After the deadly 2020 border clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, India ramped up cooperation with the U.S., including a major 2022 agreement to co-produce fighter jet engines.
“India is wary of becoming too dependent on the West, but China’s support for Pakistan could push it further into the U.S. sphere,” said Nishank Motwani, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. “China understands this and is walking a fine line.”
The recent aerial clash gave Beijing its first opportunity to assess how its military hardware performs against Western-made systems. Pakistani forces reportedly used J-10C jets — supplied by China in 2021 and first publicly displayed during Pakistan’s 2022 National Day parade — to shoot down Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets.
“If Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied equipment had failed in real combat, it would have seriously damaged China’s defense reputation,” said Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “This was a significant moment for Beijing.”
Beyond the aircraft, analysts say the brief war also served as a field test for India’s military capabilities. Indian forces employed combat drones, advanced jamming systems, and precision strikes on Pakistani infrastructure, damaging six airfields, according to satellite analysis reviewed by The Washington Post.
“This was not just a test of Chinese arms,” Motwani added. “It gave Beijing a window into India’s offensive drone tactics and electronic warfare systems.”
As of now, a fragile ceasefire is holding. But the incident has complicated China’s ambitions to be seen as a stabilizing power in Asia, contrasting itself with U.S. military assertiveness. It also raises fresh questions about the risks of proxy warfare in a region already shaped by nuclear brinkmanship and great power rivalry.
The Kashmir skirmish may have been short, but its impact on regional power dynamics — and global perceptions of Chinese military strength — will likely be felt for years.