Fri Jul 04 12:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan’s Arsenal Exposed as Chinese Military “Junkyard” During Operation Sindoor, Sources Say

**New Delhi, India -** Recent intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese military hardware has left its defense vulnerable, with sources claiming the country has become a “junkyard” for downgraded Chinese weapons. These weaknesses were reportedly highlighted during India’s Operation Sindoor, revealing critical shortcomings in Pakistan’s air defense and offensive capabilities.

According to top intelligence sources, China provides Pakistan with export versions of its weaponry that are significantly inferior to those used by the People’s Liberation Army. This practice has resulted in a compromised Pakistani defense system unable to effectively counter modern threats.

**Key Deficiencies Highlighted:**

* **Air Defense Ineffectiveness:** The Chinese-supplied HQ-9P air defense system, marketed as a competitor to the American Patriot missile, possesses a significantly reduced range compared to its domestic counterpart (125km vs. 250-300km). Furthermore, the system, along with the HQ-16, failed to intercept Indian SCALP stealth cruise missiles and HAMMER glide bombs. Poor radar performance and susceptibility to jamming further contributed to the system’s ineffectiveness against low-altitude threats.
* **Fighter Jet Mismatch:** The JF-17 fighter jet, a cornerstone of the Pakistani Air Force, suffers from limitations. The aircraft’s KLJ-7A AESA radar has a smaller aperture than India’s Rafale fighter’s RBE2-AA radar, reducing detection range and tracking accuracy. Limited fuel capacity also restricts the aircraft’s operational range, forcing reliance on vulnerable mid-air refueling.
* **Missile Range Disparity:** Exported PL-15E missiles have a reduced range (145 km) compared to China’s domestic PL-15 (200–300 km), allowing India’s Rafales with Meteor missiles (200 km) to outrange them.
* **Drone Vulnerabilities:** Chinese Wing Loong II and CH-4 drones were easily intercepted by India’s Akash SAMs and SMASH-2000 counter-drone systems due to poor manoeuvrability and lack of stealth features. Reports suggest defective drones crashed during missions due to maintenance issues stemming from a lack of specialized technicians within the Pakistani military.
* **Lack of Integration and Training:** Pakistan’s air defense system also lacks redundancy and layered coordination. Pakistani pilots trained on simulators struggled with real-world combat scenarios, unlike India’s Rafale pilots trained in France.

**Strategic Implications:**

The intelligence sources emphasize that Pakistan’s heavy reliance on Chinese military hardware, with 81% of its arms imports originating from China, has created a dangerous dependency. China’s reluctance to share cutting-edge technology like J-20 stealth fighters leaves Pakistan with outdated systems, outmatched by India’s technologically superior and diversified defense architecture, which includes a mix of Russian, Western, and homegrown technology.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s limited defense budget, approximately $10.2 billion compared to India’s $86 billion, has resulted in maintenance shortfalls and a lack of specialized expertise to properly maintain and operate the Chinese systems.

The report concludes that while Chinese military equipment may offer a cost-effective solution, its operational inflexibility and downgraded capabilities render it ineffective against India’s sophisticated and well-integrated defense forces. The findings raise serious questions about the effectiveness of Pakistan’s defense strategy and its long-term security in the face of growing regional tensions.

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