ISLAMABAD: A report submitted to the US Congress by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has highlighted what it describes as the Pakistan military’s “success” during its four-day clash with India, crediting the outcome to the deployment of modern Chinese weaponry.
The commission, mandated to assess the national security implications of US-China trade and economic ties, delivered its findings to Congress on Tuesday.
According to the document, “Pakistan’s military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry,” with Beijing’s latest air-defense and fighter systems seeing combat use for the first time.
The clash followed an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi linked to Pakistan “without evidence,” the report noted.
Islamabad strongly rejected the allegation and called for an independent investigation. India subsequently launched air strikes in Pakistan’s Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7, triggering four days of hostilities.
The commission said the confrontation marked “the first time China’s modern weapons systems, including the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter aircraft, were used in active combat, serving as a real-world field experiment.”
It added that PLA fighter jets and air-to-air missile technology received “their first combat use” as Pakistani forces flew Chinese-made aircraft during the conflict.
The report further stated that China used the fighting “to test and promote its own defense capabilities” and subsequently offered in June 2025 “to sell 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 aircraft, and ballistic missile defense systems” to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s use of Chinese systems to down Indian aircraft, including French-built Rafales, also “became a particular selling point for Chinese defence sales efforts,” the report said.
.jpg)
