Beijing's Hidden Hand: How China rewired Pakistan’s defense from sea to sky

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Arms Lifeline

[{"selector":"#anim-ad66d1a0-3348-4890-9bbf-ba47d489a0fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-51.598837169470045%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] As US exports dried up, China stepped in, supplying over $5B in weapons from 2019-2023, making Pakistan Asia’s most China-dependent military partner.

Sky Arsenal

[{"selector":"#anim-f0845a39-e392-4cfd-aa10-c201b13b57e0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-9.863721613574308%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Pakistan’s skies roar with J-10C and JF-17 Thunder jets—symbols of China's growing aerial influence after Islamabad’s F-16 deals crumbled with the West. Representative pic

Missile Shield

[{"selector":"#anim-574ade6a-8eac-4872-a3b1-63bd2f5e8468","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a2465bb-de5c-4d53-a18b-87181d4b3683","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(87.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beijing’s PL-15 missiles and HQ-9 defense systems now guard Pakistani skies, shifting the regional power balance and giving Islamabad teeth against superior foes. Representative pic

Sea Muscle

[{"selector":"#anim-4822365f-1798-419d-99ae-5485521fa845 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.12499971556431%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] China’s $5B submarine deal and sleek Type 054A/P frigates empower Pakistan’s Navy to challenge rivals in the Indian Ocean and patrol routes near Gwadar.

Armor Upgrade

[{"selector":"#anim-5f890b16-7b7c-43ce-91de-c6d7296f6b93 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.4868995751603507e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Chinese VT-4 tanks and SH-15 howitzers now rumble along tense borders, with General Tariq lauding them as game-changers on the volatile LoC frontline.

Drone Surge

[{"selector":"#anim-7726b9e9-43e9-410b-92b7-ce9b7202ad3e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.4868995751603507e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] China’s Wing Loong drones buzz over sensitive zones, giving Pakistan unprecedented eyes and lethal strike capabilities in remote conflict areas. Representative pic

Spy Net

[{"selector":"#anim-2438ec00-16e7-4371-be73-3588b01d43f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.124999867263345%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Chinese-built encrypted towers, radars, and fiber webs in disputed Kashmir zones grant Pakistan an invisible edge in surveillance and cyber defense. Representative pic

Factory Diplomacy

[{"selector":"#anim-8f28214c-952c-455e-a631-eeede5938940 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-39.9709301276523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Through 'joint' arms factories like the JF-17 plant, Beijing retains the lead role, letting Pakistan assemble and fly Chinese tech under its own flag. Representative pic

War Games

[{"selector":"#anim-f2483554-3b4c-406e-a0f9-4ff6394cfacd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-9.933205865495799%, -13.55075185745471%) scale(1.3472222222222223)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Annual drills like 'Sea Guardian' and joint flight missions deepen China-Pakistan combat synergy, hailed by PLA officials as "unbreakable battlefield brotherhood." Representative pic

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