Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh highlighted on Friday that Pakistan’s military fleet comprises 81 percent Chinese-manufactured hardware, underscoring the significant role China plays in supporting Pakistan during conflicts. Speaking at an industry chamber event organized by FICCI, he noted that during Operation Sindoor—launched by India in May following the Pahalgam terror attack—India was effectively confronting two adversaries: Pakistan as the frontline actor and China as its key backer. He also pointed out Turkey’s involvement through the supply of Bayraktar drones to Pakistan. Lt Gen Singh described the India-Pakistan conflict as a “live lab” for China to test its weapon systems against various technologies.
Emphasizing the importance of air defence, Lt Gen Singh stated that while population centres were largely spared during Operation Sindoor, future preparedness is critical. “Air defence and how it panned out during the entire operation was important… This time, our population centres were not quite addressed, but next time, we need to be prepared for that. We need a robust air defence system,” he said. He praised the armed forces for executing precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of the operation.
Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, triggering a four-day military confrontation involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons, and heavy artillery. The conflict ended with an understanding between India and Pakistan on May 10, but Lt Gen Singh’s remarks underline the evolving threats posed by the China-Pakistan partnership and the need for strengthened defensive capabilities.
