Pakistan has emerged as the largest and most important recipient of Chinese combat aircraft, according to a new assessment released by the United States Department of Defense and submitted to the US Congress.
The report highlights how China has strengthened its role as a major global arms supplier, with Pakistan standing out as its closest and most trusted air-combat partner.
China’s Global Arms Export Strategy
As of December 2024, China ranked as the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, relying heavily on state-owned defence companies such as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Norinco.
Chinese defence exports are closely linked to Beijing’s broader foreign policy and development initiatives, including the Belt and Road framework. The Pentagon report notes that China’s military hardware remains attractive to developing countries due to competitive pricing, flexible financing, and fewer political conditions.
Pakistan’s Central Role in Chinese Aviation Exports
The report identifies Pakistan as a key pillar of China’s combat aircraft exports. Beijing currently offers three major fighter jets for international buyers:
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FC-31 fifth-generation stealth fighter
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J-10C fourth-generation multirole aircraft
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JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed with Pakistan
Significantly, Pakistan is the only country to which China has exported the J-10C.
As of May 2025, China has delivered 20 J-10C aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force, with total confirmed orders reaching 36 jets. Although several other countries have expressed interest, no additional exports have materialised so far.
JF-17 Thunder: A Model Defence Partnership
The JF-17 Thunder programme is described in the report as a successful example of defence collaboration between two developing nations.
Jointly produced by Pakistan and China, the aircraft is currently in service with air forces in Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria, while Iraq has reportedly shown interest. For Pakistan, the JF-17 remains a backbone of its air force and a key defence export product.
Beyond Fighter Jets: Drones and Naval Cooperation
The Pentagon assessment also points to China’s supply of advanced armed drones to Pakistan, including systems from the Caihong and Wing Loong series. These unmanned platforms underline China’s expanding footprint in the global UAV market.
In addition, Pakistan remains a long-standing recipient of Chinese naval platforms, including four frigates delivered between 2017 and 2018, with further cooperation expected in the future.
Strategic Significance
According to the report, the defence relationship between Pakistan and China has evolved beyond simple arms purchases. It now represents a mature st
