
Stealth jets, submarines & missiles: Is China giving Pakistan the edge over India in the growing arms race?
Hangor-class submarine to Pakistan, strengthening their long-standing military alliance. The submarine, launched in Wuhan, China, is part of a $5 billion deal for eight such vessels, aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s naval prowess in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Armed with cutting-edge weaponry and sensor technology, the Hangor-class submarines signify a shift in regional maritime security dynamics.
This naval cooperation aligns with China’s expanding strategic influence, particularly around Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan, a linchpin of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Beijing’s support to Islamabad extends beyond submarines—Pakistan has also received advanced naval frigates, reconnaissance drones, and fighter jets from its closest ally.
China: Pakistan’s Largest Defence Partner
China has solidified its role as Pakistan’s dominant arms supplier, a relationship that has grown stronger over the past decade. Between 2019 and 2023, 81% of Pakistan’s total arms imports originated from China, marking an increase from 74% in the previous five-year period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). China accounted for 63% of Pakistan’s total arms imports, valued at $5.28 billion.
“China’s willingness to supply Pakistan with some of its most advanced weapons highlights the trust between the two nations,” said Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at SIPRI.
This reliance on Beijing is also a consequence of strained US-Pakistan defence ties. Washington’s pivot towards India, combined with the suspension of military aid to Islamabad, has pushed Pakistan to deepen its strategic alignment with China. Unlike the US, China imposes no political conditions on arms sales, making it