Security Oversight Commission submits report to Congress; Beijing’s systems helped counter Indian strikes
Pakistan’s J-10C. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
A report submitted to the US Congress by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission highlighted Pakistan’s “military success” during the four-day conflict with India in May 2025, attributing the outcome to the deployment of advanced Chinese weapons.
The commission, tasked with assessing the national security implications of U.S.-China trade and economic relations, reported its findings to Congress on Tuesday. According to the document, “Pakistan’s military success against India during its four-day standoff showcased Chinese weaponry,” noting that Beijing’s latest air defense systems and fighter jets were used in combat for the first time.
The clashes were sparked after an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which New Delhi attributed to Pakistan without presenting any evidence. Islamabad has rejected the allegations and called for an independent investigation.
In response, India launched airstrikes on Pakistan’s Punjab province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the early hours of May 7, triggering four days of hostilities that ended with US mediation on May 10.
The US report notes that the confrontation marked the first active combat use of China’s modern weapons systems, including the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles and J-10 fighter jets operated by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
China reportedly used the conflict to test and promote its defense capabilities, and subsequently offered in June 2025 to sell Pakistan 40 fifth-generation J-35 fighter jets, KJ-500 aircraft and ballistic missile defense systems.
Pakistan initially shot down five Indian planes, then increased that total to seven, while claiming there were no losses on its side and reporting that 26 Indian targets were hit after airstrikes on three bases. US President Donald Trump, commenting on the clash, said eight Indian planes had been “essentially” shot down.
The report also highlights China’s growing defense cooperation with Pakistan, noting that the country supplied about 82% of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2019 and 2023. It cites joint exercises such as the “Warrior-VIII” counterterrorism exercises in late 2024 and Pakistan’s participation in the AMAN naval exercises in February 2025 as evidence of expanding military collaboration.
New Delhi perceived these exercises as direct threats to security. “Indian commentators viewed these exercises as a loss in its relations with China and a direct threat to the security of its territorial positions,” the report said.
Additionally, the commission highlighted allegations that China is exploiting the conflict to increase its arms sales, including reports that it promoted the effectiveness of its systems compared to France’s Rafale and carried out disinformation campaigns using AI-generated imagery to boost the credibility of its J-35 fighter jets.
The report highlights that while the conflict can be described as a “proxy war”, China has used this engagement to promote the sophistication of its weaponry and advance its defense industry goals, particularly in the context of ongoing border tensions with India. Pakistan also increased its defense budget by 20% in June 2025, bringing planned spending to $9 billion despite an overall decrease in the national budget.
The four-day standoff represents a rare example of Chinese modern weapons being deployed in real combat, underscoring both Islamabad’s dependence on Beijing and China’s strategic interest in showcasing its latest defense technologies on the international stage.
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRIES)
