A recent Pakistan-India clash is reshaping global views on Chinese weapons, as Pakistan’s reported use of J-10C jets and PL-15 missiles boosts China’s arms credibility and raises concerns in regions like Taiwan.
A recent military confrontation between Pakistan and India has prompted a global reassessment of Chinese-made weapons, especially their effectiveness compared to Western arms. Reports though unconfirmed, claim that Pakistan used its Chinese J-10C fighter jets to down five Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafales. This news boosted the stock value of the jet's Chinese manufacturer by over 55 billion yuan.
Commenting on the potential success of Chinese jets, Hu Xijin, ex-editor of China’s nationalist Global Times, warned that if true, Taiwan should be more cautious, given Beijing’s stance on reunification. Taiwan has been closely observing the incident. Shu Hsiao-Huang from a defense think tank in Taipei noted that the performance of China's air force may be approaching the level of U.S. air power in East Asia. This could influence the U.S. to consider providing Taiwan with even more advanced military systems.
Although President Xi Jinping has been working to modernize the PLA, past scandals have raised doubts about the military's readiness, particularly its Rocket Force. However, the J-10C's reported success, including the effective use of China’s PL-15 air-to-air missiles found at the crash sites, may help change that perception. The PL-15, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5, is seen as a credible rival to Western missiles.
China is already the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, mostly to developing nations. This event may strengthen Beijing's appeal to countries looking for affordable yet powerful alternatives to Western weaponry. Experts like James Char suggest this could boost China's arms sales in the Global South, particularly as some countries look to diversify away from U.S. suppliers due to geopolitical and trade concerns.
Despite growth in arms exports, China has faced criticism over product reliability. Issues such as structural defects and poor maintenance have been reported in countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and even Pakistan. These problems have long limited China's expansion into markets beyond a few developing nations.
Still, China's defense industry is pushing forward. Xi's focus on civil-military integration aims to fully modernize the PLA by 2027. Notable advancements include launching the world's largest amphibious assault ship and testing what appears to be a sixth-generation fighter jet.
Though the J-10C's potential combat success might not mark a revolutionary leap for China's military, it does represent a meaningful step forward in showcasing how its weaponry performs in real-world combat situations.
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