The document highlights China’s deepening defence partnership with Pakistan ahead of the clash. In November–December 2024, both countries conducted the three-week Warrior-VIII counterterrorism drills, followed in February 2025 by the PLA Navy’s participation in Pakistan’s multinational AMAN exercises. Indian security analysts viewed these engagements as further evidence of China’s growing strategic influence in Pakistan and a direct threat to India’s security environment.

According to the USCC, Pakista-n’s performance during the clash showcased Chinese platforms, with Beijing using the episode to test and promote systems relevant to both its border tensions with India and its expanding defence industry goals. China supplied 82% of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2019 and 2023.

The report states that the May 2025 confrontation marked the first active combat use of China’s modern systems, including the HQ-9 air defence system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter jets, turning the conflict into a “real-world field experiment.”

Barely a month after the clash, in June 2025, China reportedly offered Pakistan a major new defence package: 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early-warning aircraft, and ballistic missile defence systems. The same month, Pakistan announced a 20% increase in its defence budget, raising allocations to USD 9 billion, despite cuts in its overall national expenditure.