A new report from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission says China used the May 7–10 India-Pakistan confrontation to test its latest combat systems in real battlefield conditions, marking the first time Chinese weapons such as the J-10 fighter jet, HQ-9 air defense system and PL-15 missiles were used in high-intensity conflict.
The report, published on November 18, concludes that Beijing took advantage of the crisis, known in India as Operation Sindoor, as Pakistan relied heavily on Chinese-supplied weapons, intelligence support and command-and-control networks during the fighting. The clash followed a deadly insurgent attack in Jammu and Kashmir that triggered Indian strikes deep into Pakistani territory and retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Chinese-built J-10CE fighters and PL-15E long-range missiles formed the core of its air campaign, supported by Chinese airborne early warning aircraft. Meanwhile, HQ-9P and HQ-9BE air defense systems protected key cities and military installations, giving Pakistan layered coverage against Indian aircraft.
On the ground, Chinese artillery and armored systems, including SH-15 self-propelled howitzers and VT-4 tanks, were used in counter-battery and interdiction missions. At sea, Pakistan deployed modern Chinese-built frigates and prepared for the introduction of Hangor-class submarines, part of Beijing’s largest-ever defense export deal.
The report says the conflict provided China with rare real-time data to refine its doctrine and promote its weapons to foreign buyers, while deepening its role as Pakistan’s primary defense partner. Pakistan now receives the vast majority of its major arms imports from China.
Indian and Western analysts warn that China’s involvement carries broader strategic implications. India is accelerating defense cooperation with the U.S. and France, while China is using the performance of its systems to compete with Western suppliers in other regions.
The commission concludes that the brief but intense clash served as a «live-fire proving ground» for China’s expanding military export ambitions and will shape security calculations from South Asia to the Taiwan Strait.
