China’s Military Support Strengthens Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions with India
Islamabad, May 3 – As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has showcased its latest military advancements, featuring Chinese-made weapons that could shift the balance of power in South Asia.
On Tuesday, the PAF released footage displaying its JF-17 fighter jets armed with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, originally developed for China’s J-20 stealth fighter. The PL-15, with an engagement range of 200km to 300km, is considered one of the most advanced fighter-to-fighter missiles in the world.
Military analysts suggest that Pakistan’s biggest advantage lies in the Chinese-made KLJ-7A radar system, fitted to the JF-17. This active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar provides 360-degree coverage and can detect fighter-sized targets at 170km, significantly outperforming India’s Rafale jets, which have a lock-on range of 60km.
The PAF video also featured other Chinese-made weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, early warning aircraft, and J-10CE multirole fighters. The J-10CE, reportedly matching the PLA’s J-10C, boasts a top speed of Mach 1.8, a service ceiling of 18,000 meters, and a combat radius of 1,240km, extendable to 2,600km with refueling.
The growing military cooperation between China and Pakistan has raised concerns in India, especially after reports of a brief aerial stand-off over Kashmir earlier this week. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the armed forces full operational freedom to decide the mode, timing, and target of India’s response.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and counterterrorism efforts, urging both nations to avoid further escalation and calling for a fair and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
With military experts warning that “the side that sees first and fires first may reshape the balance of power in South Asia’s skies,” the situation remains volatile.
