A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals a substantial increase in Pakistan's arms imports, which rose by 61% between the periods of 2015-2019 and 2020-2024.
The report highlights China's increasing dominance as Pakistan's main arms supplier, providing 81% of the country's total arms imports during the most recent period.
The significant rise in Pakistan's arms acquisitions coincides with the nation's ongoing efforts to upgrade its military capabilities. This modernization drive is fueled by persistent regional tensions, primarily with India, and security concerns along its borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
The increase in imports is in line with Pakistan's strategic goals, which include responding to India's expanding military strength and handling internal security challenges. The SIPRI report also stated that global arms transfer decreased slightly, but Pakistan remains a significant arms buyer.
Key acquisitions during this period focused on strengthening Pakistan's air and naval power. These included fighter jets, naval vessels, and missile systems.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), for example, has continued to receive JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a multirole combat aircraft jointly developed with China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
Pakistan has also enhanced its naval fleet with Chinese-built Type 054A/P frigates. These warships are designed to improve Pakistan's maritime presence in the Arabian Sea and provide a counter to India's naval expansion in the Indian Ocean.
The report further details that China's contribution to Pakistan's arms imports increased from 74% in 2015-2019 to 81% in 2020-2024. This growing dependence highlights the strong strategic relationship between the two countries, often referred to as an "all-weather friendship."
This partnership encompasses not only military cooperation but also economic collaboration, particularly through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). SIPRI data indicates that Pakistan is the largest recipient of Chinese arms exports, representing a substantial portion of Beijing's global arms sales.
Several factors contribute to China's increasing share of Pakistan's arms imports. Firstly, Chinese military equipment is generally more affordable than comparable Western systems, making it a financially viable choice for Pakistan.
Secondly, China provides favorable payment options and is willing to engage in co-development and technology transfer, as demonstrated by the JF-17 program.
Lastly, the strong political alignment between Pakistan and China guarantees a reliable supply chain, avoiding the potential for sanctions or restrictions that Pakistan has sometimes experienced with Western suppliers, such as the United States. In recent years the US halted its military aids to Pakistan.
On the global stage, China holds the position of the fourth-largest arms exporter for the period 2020-2024, representing 5.9% of the world's arms exports, according to SIPRI. This ranking places China behind the United States, Russia, and France, but ahead of countries like Germany and the United Kingdom.
The SIPRI report confirms China's active pursuit of expanding its arms export market, capitalizing on its advancements in military technology and competitive pricing to gain entry into markets across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Despite these efforts, China encounters substantial obstacles in expanding its reach to major arms importers. The report notes that many countries choose not to purchase Chinese arms due to political considerations.
For example, countries aligned with Western nations frequently prefer American or European systems because they are compatible with NATO standards, have well-established logistics networks, and are supported by political alliances.
Although the quality has improved, there are still worries about the dependability and long-term performance of Chinese equipment. Countries such as India, Saudi Arabia and others in the Southeast Asian states are diversify their suppliers rather depending on China.
Geopolitical rivalries also limit China's arms exports. Some regional powers, concerned by China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and border disputes with India, consider purchasing Chinese weapons to be politically risky, even if they are cost-effective.
Furthermore, Western nations' export controls and sanctions on Chinese defence companies have restricted Beijing's ability to compete in certain markets, especially for advanced technologies like sophisticated fighter jets and missile systems.
