Kashmir conflict: the Chinese warplanes and weapons used by Pakistan

China is Pakistan’s biggest arms supplier, and its fighter jets and missiles played a key role in last week’s military exchanges with India

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Pakistan’s foreign minister has claimed that Chinese J-10C fighter jets were used to shoot down Indian aircraft along the border. Photo: Handout

Published: 12:00pm, 14 May 2025Updated: 2:35pm, 20 May 2025

A ceasefire between India and Pakistan appears to be holding after days of fighting last week, prompted by a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Islamabad denied accusations from New Delhi that it was involved in the attack in the disputed region.

During the military exchanges, weapons from China played a crucial role in Pakistan’s defences against India’s arms from Russia and the West.

China is Pakistan’s biggest weapons supplier, accounting for 81 per cent of its arms imports from 2020 to 2024, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

So what is Pakistan buying? These are the key Chinese weapons being used by Pakistan’s military – from fighter jets to missiles.

Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighter jet

The 4.5-generation fighter aircraft is considered the most upgraded version of the J-10 series, equipped with a more advanced engine and active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radar. It is compatible with advanced Chinese munitions such as the PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told parliament last week that Chinese J-10C jets were used to shoot down five Indian fighter jets along the border.