The strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, which evolved from a historical alliance, has now been transformed into a pivotal force of immense strategic importance. The reliance on China to acquire military weapons and ensure defence commitment is deeply rooted in their historical relations.  This comprehensive cooperation, spanning joint development ventures and arms transfers, significantly shapes the regional defence landscape, featuring its critical role in the geopolitical domain. China-Pakistan defence cooperation is multi-domain and multi-sectoral. It extends to attain air superiority by inducting advanced fighter jets, enhancing naval capabilities by commissioning submarines and frigates, upgrading surveillance technology, and acquiring modern and latest weapons.

American Indo-Pacific strategy leaves no option for Pakistan but to expand defence cooperation with China. After the fall of Kabul 2.0, Washington degraded its relations with Pakistan and started to focus on more effective ties with India, labelled as a lynchpin of containing China strategy. This move compelled Pakistan to get closer to China for its political, military, and economic support. Furthermore, besides India, Pakistan now faces a hostile Afghanistan bent upon supporting anti-Pakistan terrorist organizations. This two-pronged front compels Islamabad to revise its defence partnership and look beyond traditional avenues of cooperation.

Pakistan Aeronautic Complex has produced 03 blocks of JF-17, equipped with multi-purposed technologies, showcasing Pakistan’s commitment to modernise its wartime fleet

To begin with, Pakistan’s strategic defence plan includes the procurement of advanced J-35 jets from China. This sale, marking the initial phase of China’s 5th-generation warfare jets, is a significant leap that will substantially bolster Pakistan’s defence capabilities. The news of this procurement, which came to light after the visit of the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People’s Republic of China, General Zhang Youxia, to the General Headquarters, indicates the advanced technology that Pakistan is embracing. Earlier, Pakistan and China developed JF-17, a joint venture of China and Pakistan, formally presented to the nation on 23 March 2007. Till now, Pakistan Aeronautic Complex has produced 03 blocks of JF-17, equipped with multi-purposed technologies, showcasing Pakistan’s commitment to modernise its wartime fleet. Pakistan also received the J-10CE fighter jets from China in 2022, which was a vital addition to the fleet of JF-17 jets.

Islamabad acquired highly advanced and diverse security systems from China from 2020 to 2024, including long-range reconnaissance drones and a Type-054A guided-missile frigate

In the realm of maritime security, Pakistan’s navy has recently launched its second Hanogoor-Class submarine in Wuhan, China. The first was launched earlier in April 2024. This launch is part of an agreement to see the development of 8 Hanogoor-class submarines, four of which will be constructed in China and the other four in Pakistan. These submarines, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons, will decisively enhance Pakistan navy’s underwater combat capabilities, significantly strengthening its deterrence against potential maritime threats. The balanced distribution of submarine construction between China and Pakistan also marks the collaborative nature of this defence partnership.

Moreover, there has been a significant increase in weapon imports from China in the past five years. It is reported that Pakistan’s 81 per cent of arms imports are Chinese-made. According to the SIPRI database, Islamabad acquired highly advanced and diverse security systems from China from 2020 to 2024, including long-range reconnaissance drones and a Type-054A guided-missile frigate.

The joint exercises focusing on counterterrorism and operational coordination highlight the practical aspects of this defence collaboration

Moreover, Pakistan and China are constantly engaged in conducting joint military exercises. On December 11, 2024, the Pakistan and People’s Liberation Army concluded the weeks-long exercise Warrior -VIII, which is conducted annually. These exercises, which involve the sharing of tactics, strategies, and operational procedures, are aimed at enhancing counterterrorism capabilities and curbing the threats of attacks on Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on various projects. The exercises also serve as a platform for the two countries to demonstrate their military strength and capabilities, thus deterring potential misadventures. The joint exercises focusing on counterterrorism and operational coordination highlight the practical aspects of this defence collaboration, providing tangible benefits.

China’s willingness to transfer its most advanced weapons, cutting-edge technology and defence equipment, a testament to its trust in its old friends, highlights the essence of this collaboration. This surge in weapon imports from China not only indicates the deepening defence ties between the two countries but also presents the increasing reliance of Pakistan on Chinese military technology, marking a significant shift in power dynamics

Pakistan’s aspiration to modernize its defence fleet can be traced to India’s potential consideration of buying American F-35 and SU-57 fighter jets

Pakistan’s aspiration to modernize its defence fleet can be traced to India’s potential consideration of buying American F-35 and SU-57 fighter jets. To boost defence cooperation between India and the United States, Trump has shown his willingness to sell F-35 jets, the most advanced military jets, to India. Pakistan has expressed concerns about the potential sale of F-35’s to India. It believes such a move would exacerbate regional imbalances and undermine strategic stability. In reality, such a step would not only plunge the region into an arms race but also create a significant security dilemma, underscoring the urgent need for strategic balance.

The greater engagement with China for defence cooperation is not motivated by arms race in the region but rather by Pakistan, which, being a responsible nuclear state, wants to strengthen its own security in the evolving security dynamics of Asia Pacific. Additionally, since the Taliban’s taking power in Kabul, Pakistan has constantly faced a surge in insurgencies, terrorism, and cross-border terrorist attacks. The acquisition of surveillance technology has enhanced the ability to monitor the cross-border movement of terrorists on the Pak-Afghan border.

This persistent defence cooperation is a testament to the all-weather partnership

To sum up, in the era of shifting alliances, Sino-Pak relations provide a complex interplay of ambitions, strategy, and stability. The bilateral relationship has proven enduring despite perceived chaos and security uncertainties. This persistent defence cooperation is a testament to the all-weather partnership. Although the adversaries view the relations as downgrading, these deteriorating partnership claims, propagated by hostile actors, should be analysed with skepticism.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.