India’s bold and precise Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, has not only shaken Pakistan’s military confidence but also exposed critical vulnerabilities in China’s diplomatic strategies and military exports. The operation, which targeted terror infrastructure with pinpoint accuracy, left a trail of political, military, and economic implications that Beijing is now struggling to manage.
While Islamabad faced the brunt of India’s retaliatory campaign, China found itself inadvertently drawn into the storm, with its military technology failing spectacularly, its diplomatic stance scrutinized, and its global arms credibility under threat.
1. China’s Diplomatic Dilemma: Between a Friend and a Superpower
Following the Pahalgam attacks, China attempted to walk a fine line. On one hand, it called for restraint from India, while on the other, it continued its long-standing support for Pakistan in the UN Security Council’s #1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in talks with both Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar and India’s Ajit Doval, but failed to propose any concrete diplomatic resolution. Ironically, even Pakistan, traditionally a Chinese ally, turned instead to the United States for brokering a ceasefire—leaving China diplomatically sidelined and reduced to an ineffective observer.
2. The Illusion of Neutrality: Beijing’s Double Standards Exposed
While Chinese officials maintained an appearance of neutrality, state-aligned media and social media influencers told a different story. Bloggers in China accused India of escalation, criticized its military response, and tried to portray Pakistan as the victim.
This narrative flew in the face of credible international evidence pointing to Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism. The hypocrisy became even more glaring as many of these same commentators cheered Pakistani drone attacks on Indian territory, exposing Beijing’s selective outrage and diplomatic bias.
3. $20 Billion in Ruins: China’s Military Technology Underperforms
China’s military-industrial complex suffered a major blow when the conflict presented a real-world testing ground for its weapons—one that ended in failure. Over the last decade, Pakistan had purchased Chinese military equipment worth over $20 billion, including fighter jets, air defence systems, missiles, and drones.
Yet, during Operation Sindoor, this arsenal largely malfunctioned, missed targets, or was destroyed outright. The battlefield became a live demonstration of the technological inferiority and lack of reliability of Chinese military systems.
4. J-10C and JF-17 Fighters: Outmatched and Outgunned
China’s pride—the J-10C “Vigorous Dragon”—was sold to Pakistan at $40 million per unit. Despite being marketed as an answer to India’s Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, the jets failed to make a meaningful impact.
Pakistan claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft, a claim repeated widely in Chinese media. However, the lack of any wreckage, captured pilots, or satellite imagery undermined the credibility of those statements. India, in contrast, shared satellite proof of 11 successful airfield strikes deep inside Pakistani territory.
Alongside the J-10C, the JF-17 Thunder Block III, co-produced by China and Pakistan, also disappointed. With over 150 units in service, these jets were supposed to be the backbone of Pakistan’s air power. Instead, Pakistan confirmed the loss of at least two JF-17s during the Indian retaliation, dealing a blow to their perceived effectiveness.
5. PL-15 Missiles: Malfunctions and Missed Targets
The much-hyped PL-15 air-to-air missile, with a reported range of up to 200 km, was meant to provide Pakistan with a strategic edge. However, multiple reports from India’s Punjab region indicated that several of these missiles crashed without detonating, raising serious concerns over their operational integrity.
The missiles failed to hit their targets, with no significant Indian aircraft losses reported. The fault, some Chinese analysts argued, lay not just in the hardware but also in Pakistan’s lack of training and coordination in using these advanced systems.
6. Air Defence Collapse: HQ-9P Falls Short
Among the most expensive Chinese assets in Pakistan’s inventory was the HQ-9P air defence system, purchased for around $600 million. It was deployed to defend critical urban zones such as Lahore and Sialkot.
Yet, during Operation Sindoor, the HQ-9P system failed to detect or intercept Indian missiles. The failure was both strategic and symbolic, exposing serious gaps in China’s air defence capabilities and their integration with local infrastructure.
7. Drones Destroyed: Wing Loong II Exposed
China had delivered 48 Wing Loong II armed drones to Pakistan, each costing between $3–5 million. These drones, expected to offer surveillance and strike capabilities, were decimated by Indian Jaguar aircraft in strikes targeting Sukkur air base.
The destruction of these drones, many of them grounded, showed their inadequacy in hostile environments and highlighted the lack of battlefield survivability.
8. Global Arms Market Reaction: Confidence in Chinese Weapons Plunges
Operation Sindoor didn’t just hurt China militarily—it dented its business reputation. Companies like AVIC Chengdu, which manufactures the J-10C, and Zhuzhou Hongda, maker of the PL-15 missiles, saw their stocks drop nearly 9%.
This drop came after initial gains when the conflict began, signaling how quickly investor confidence evaporated following reports of underperformance.
9. India’s Economic and Strategic Gains
The Indian economy reacted positively to the ceasefire announcement. The Mumbai Stock Exchange rose by 3.5%, adding around $200 billion in market value. At the same time, India’s reputation as a reliable arms exporter received a boost.
Countries in Southeast Asia and Africa showed renewed interest in BrahMos cruise missiles and Akash air defence systems, with inquiries for joint production and purchase beginning to roll in.
10. A Costly Miscalculation for Beijing
China entered the India-Pakistan conflict hoping to project strength through its Pakistani proxy. Instead, it suffered military embarrassment, diplomatic irrelevance, and economic setbacks. The consequences of blindly backing Pakistan, even in the face of international pressure and mounting evidence, have forced China to rethink its role in South Asian geopolitics.
More importantly, the poor battlefield showing of Chinese military equipment has dealt a major blow to its global arms sales ambitions, especially at a time when its economic growth is under strain and its competition with the U.S. intensifies.
