Cash-strapped Pakistan’s jet, missile display exposes reliance on China, Turkey as India boosts defences
Pakistan is expanding its military capabilities through significant acquisitions of Chinese and Turkish hardware, including drones and missile systems. Indian security analysts are questioning the funding sources for these purchases given Pakistan's current economic instability.
Why it matters
The military buildup highlights shifting geopolitical alliances in South Asia and potential regional instability between India and Pakistan.
On Monday, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) showcased its newly acquired air defence capabilities on official social media channels, revealing the extent of its military dependency on "iron brother" China and Mecca defence pact partner Turkey.The PAF channel flaunted Russia copy and Chinese reverse-engineered HQ-17 AE short-range surface to air missile system, Turkish counter-unmanned aerial vehicle system and self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Apart from Chinese J-10 and JF-17 fighters, the PAF showcased the Turkish and Chinese armed drones/ unmanned combat air systems (UCAVs) like Akinci and Wing Loong II. The Wing Loong II drone was apparently put to use by Rawalpindi to target Baluch insurgents in Balochistan.While the Indian security establishment has noted the PAF display, it is quite flummoxed over where Rawalpindi gets money to purchase this equipment from Turkey and China.
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