Shaheer Ahmad
On May 7, the Indian military launched a series of strikes from standoff ranges against multiple targets in Punjab and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, called “Operation Sindoor.” In response, Pakistan claimed to have retaliated by shooting down five Indian jets, including top-of-the-line French-manufactured Rafale aircraft. Later, the acknowledgement by French and American officials about the downing of the Rafale confirmed the first combat kill of the French-made aircraft. Likewise, the Pakistani military said it had intercepted 77 kamikaze drones, mainly of Israeli origin.
The intense aerial exchange between the regional rivals marked the first use in combat of several Chinese weapons systems purchased by Pakistan. And despite the fog of war, the previously untested inventory appears to be effective.
Pakistan mainly relied on Chinese combat planes such as J-10C and JF-17 Thunder aircraft and air defense systems, including the HQ-9, to shoot down Indian fighter jets and incoming drones. This reflects the significant presence of Chinese military hardware in Pakistan’s military arsenal. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China accounted for nearly 82 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2019-2023. Owing to this robust bilateral defense trade, Pakistan’s claim of shooting down Indian fighter aircraft, including its most advanced jet, with Chinese assets became a trending topic for Chinese policymakers and social media. Reportedly, the shares of AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Co., the manufacturer of J-10C aircraft, saw a sharp hike of 20 percent amid the India-Pakistan clashes.
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