Latest news with #Chinese-supplied
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian general admits Pakistan downed jets
Listen to article India's defence chief on Saturday appeared to confirm his country had lost at least one aircraft during the brief conflict with Pakistan earlier this month, he told Bloomberg in an interview. India and Pakistan were engaged in a four-day conflict this month, their worst standoff since 1999, before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides. Pakistan claimed its Chinese-supplied jets had shot down six Indian aircraft. India's chief of defence staff, General Anil Chauhan, called Pakistan's claims that it shot down six Indian warplanes "absolutely incorrect". But Chauhan, when pressed as to whether India had lost any jets, appeared to confirm New Delhi had lost an unspecified number of aircraft — without giving details. "I think, what is important is that, not the jet being down, but why they were being down," he told Bloomberg TV, speaking on the sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue defence meeting in Singapore. There was no immediate response from New Delhi. On May 11, a day after the ceasefire, India's Air Marshal AK Bharti, speaking to reporters, had said that "all our pilots are back home", adding that "we are in a combat scenario, and that losses are a part of combat". A senior security source told AFP three Indian jets had crashed on home soil without giving the make or cause. But until the comments on Saturday, India had not officially confirmed any of its aircraft were lost. "The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets, again targeting at long range," Chauhan added, speaking to Bloomberg. "Why they were downthat is more important for us, and what did we do after that", he added. The recent conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals was triggered by an attack on tourists in IIOJK on April 22. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing the Islamist militants it said carried out the attack, charges that Pakistan denied.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
'The Good Part Is...': CDS Chauhan Hints At Jet Loss In Op Sindoor, Says India Came Back Stronger
Last Updated: General Anil Chauhan dismissed Pakistan's claim that it downed six Indian jets as 'absolutely incorrect." Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, for the first time, hinted at India losing fighter jets in the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan earlier this month as he stressed that the focus should be on the tactical lessons learned, not the number of aircraft lost. Speaking to Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Anil Chauhan dismissed Pakistan's claim that it downed six Indian jets as 'absolutely incorrect," but declined to give specific figures regarding aircraft losses during the conflict that erupted on May 7 — the worst military escalation between India and Pakistan in over 50 years. 'What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were down. What mistakes were made — that is important. Numbers are not," he said. General Anil Chauhan said India had identified and corrected its tactical errors within two days and resumed long-range operations with precision targeting. 'The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range," General Chauhan said. General Anil Chauhan Slams Shehbaz Sharif's Claims On Indian Jets General Anil Chauhan also pushed back against Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's assertion that his country had shot down six Indian jets. He criticized the performance of Pakistan's imported weapon systems, including Chinese-supplied air defenses, saying they 'didn't work." He added that India had successfully executed precision strikes deep inside Pakistani territory- up to 300 kilometers- on airfields protected by dense air defenses. On concerns of nuclear escalation, General Anil Chauhan dismissed suggestions that the conflict came close to triggering a nuclear war. He said, 'I personally feel that there is a lot of space between the conduct of conventional operations and the nuclear threshold." Communication channels with Pakistan, he added, remained open throughout the crisis. The CDS concluded that the current ceasefire is holding, but its durability depends on future Pakistani actions. 'We have laid clear red lines," he warned. First Published: May 31, 2025, 13:36 IST
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'The missile you mention...': Beijing deflects question on Chinese arms' ‘below average' performance in India-Pakistan conflict
A senior Chinese military official has sidestepped questions about the reported underperformance of Chinese-supplied weapons during the recent India-Pakistan conflict , as reported by the Global Times. Speaking at a monthly press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang declined to comment on India's recovery of a PL-15E missile — one of China's most advanced air-to-air weapons — or on Indian claims that Chinese defence systems used by Pakistan performed 'below average' during the four-day military confrontation earlier this month. 'The missile you mentioned is an export equipment and has been shown at defence exhibitions at home and abroad many times,' Zhang said, referring to the unexploded PL-15E reportedly found by Indian forces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Pressed further, Zhang added: 'India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved. We hope that both sides can remain calm and restrained and avoid action further complicating the situation.' He offered no direct response to Indian officials' allegations that Pakistan had received Chinese air defence and satellite support during the conflict, which they claim did not yield effective results. Live Events Indian military officials had asserted that Pakistan used Chinese air defence systems and relied on Chinese satellite support, but the results were 'below average'. The Chinese response to these claims was muted, with Zhang avoiding confirmation or denial. 'We would like to stress that India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved. We hope both sides will remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation,' Zhang repeated, echoing similar language used previously by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. He added, 'The Chinese side is willing to continue the constructive role in achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and preserve regional peace and stability.' India and Pakistan announced a cessation of hostilities on 10 May, following Operation Sindoor , launched by India in response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. That attack left 26 civilians dead and injured several more. From 7 to 10 May, Indian forces targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operations led to the deaths of over 100 militants from groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan responded with three days of retaliatory air strikes, which were intercepted by Indian defences. 'It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea with effect from 5 pm local time on May 10. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding,' Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing in New Delhi, according to Xinhua. The recent flare-up has intensified focus on the role and reliability of Chinese weaponry in Pakistan's arsenal. China supplies 81 per cent of Pakistan's military imports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) covering 2020 to 2024. These include fighter jets, radars, warships, submarines, and advanced missile systems. The PL-15E, which was reportedly recovered unexploded in Indian territory, is a radar-guided beyond-visual-range missile and represents a key element of China's missile exports. Its presence and apparent failure during the conflict raise questions over its battlefield performance. Pakistan's military largely relies on China-supplied platforms, including the JF-17 fighter aircraft, jointly developed by the two nations. This aircraft remains central to Pakistan's air power and was used during the conflict. The Chinese Defence Ministry's silence on equipment performance has drawn significant attention within Chinese media, reflecting both the depth of China-Pakistan defence ties and the potential reputational risks of battlefield shortcomings. This was the first media interaction by the Chinese military since the conflict, and though routine, it came under sharper focus due to the scale of Chinese involvement in Pakistan's defence infrastructure. Despite Beijing's public appeals for calm, analysts note the strategic weight of its silence. The lack of clarity on weapons effectiveness — especially during live conflict — may affect future defence diplomacy and procurement choices across the region. For now, China insists on a neutral stance. But its military exports, their performance, and its political proximity to Pakistan continue to be closely watched, particularly in New Delhi.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India won tech war, Pak lost as China's proxy: US expert
India won tech war, Pak lost as China's proxy: US expert NEW DELHI: Under Operation Sindoor , India did not just win a military conflict with Pakistan but also scored a victory over China in the technological domain as Pakistan essentially fought as a Chinese proxy by relying heavily on Chinese platforms, according to military expert John Spencer. "Operation Sindoor pitted India's indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. What unfolded was not just retaliation but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (the two key programmes of the Modi govt that lay emphasis on self-reliance in the defence sector)," Spencer, a retired US army officer who is currently the chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute, wrote on X. "India fought as a sovereign power, wielding precision tools it designed, built and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed - exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad's defence posture," he said. The 'Made-in-India' BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with Russian collaboration, totally indigenous Akash surface to air missile and Akashteer missile defence system, Rudram anti-radiation missile, Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), loitering munitions (SkyStriker, Harop) and D4S counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, an indigenous multi-layer drone defence system integrating radar, radio frequency jammers, sensors and kinetic kill options had an upper hand over several Pakistan-owned but Chinese-built HQ-9/ HQ-16 SAM Systems, LY-80 & FM-90 air defence systems and CH-4 dross (China), Spencer said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo India's thrust for self-reliance in defence weaponry began as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, he said. "The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry. The policy incentivised joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile , K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India-many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control," Spencer said.
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Operation Sindoor: Indias Indigenous Arsenal Outshines Chinese Weapons, Says US Expert John Spencer
The rapid, multidomain military campaign Operation Sindoor not only dismantled cross-border terror networks but became a full-scale validation of India's defence transformation, a leading American defence analyst said on Thursday. In his extensive analysis titled 'India's Operation Sindoor: A Battlefield Verdict on Chinese Weapons — And India's Victory', top urban warfare expert John Spencer reckoned that Operation Sindoor wasn't just a military campaign but a technology demonstration, a market signal, and a strategic blueprint. "India showed the world what self-reliance in modern warfare looks like — and proved that 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' works under fire," Spencer wrote. "Operation Sindoor pitted India's indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didn't just win on the battlefield — it won the technology referendum. What unfolded was not just retaliation, but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat," he added. Spencer, currently the Chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and a Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, stated that "Pakistan's proxy dependency" was no match to "India's sovereign power" during Operation Sindoor which demolished terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan after the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. "India fought as a sovereign power — wielding precision tools it designed, built, and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed — exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad's defence posture," Spencer wrote. Spencer also detailed how India's transformation into a modern defence power began in 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative. The goal, he said, was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry. "The policy incentivized joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74 per cent, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India—many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control," he stated. Heaping praise on PM Modi, he highlighted how 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', or a self-reliant India, became a national security doctrine than just an economic policy following the combined shock of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash with China. "India imposed phased bans on key defence imports, gave the armed forces emergency procurement powers, and poured investment into indigenous research, design, and production. By 2025, India had increased domestic content in defence procurement from 30 per cent to 65 per cent, with a goal of 90 per cent by the decade's end," he said. India's new doctrine, the leading expert reckons, was tested under fire on April 22 when Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 Indian civilians in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran Valley. Spencer then goes on to explain in detail how India's arsenal proved just too much for Pakistan. Jointly developed with Russia and now largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles was used to strike high-value targets like radar stations and hardened bunkers. "Its speed and low radar cross-section make it nearly impossible to intercept," says Spencer. The Akash surface-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier military research and development agency, and Bharat Dynamics, enabled coordinated response to multiple airborne threats - including drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft. It was integrated with the Akashteer Command & Control System, an AI-enhanced air defence network that provides real-time data fusion, India's first indigenously developed anti-radiation missile, Rudram-1 was also deployed to silence Pakistani ground-based radars and degrade situational awareness in key sectors of the Line of Control (LoC). Spencer also mentioned how Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), also built by DRDO on an Embraer platform, provided real-time tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles, vectoring Indian jets for deep-strike missions. "Its effectiveness was evident when Pakistan's Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C was destroyed by a long-range missile," said Spencer. India also deployed Harop and SkyStriker drones — precision-guided 'Kamikaze' munitions that loiter over the battlefield and dive onto enemy targets. Harop is manufactured under license by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) while SkyStriker is assembled domestically through an Elbit joint venture. They were used to destroy mobile radars, convoys, and high-value enemy infrastructure with minimal collateral damage. At the same time, India's Drone Detect, Deter, and Destroy System (D4S) neutralised dozens of Chinese-made Pakistani drones. The system reflects India's transition from reactive air defence to proactive electronic warfare dominance. Imported from the US but integrated into Indian mountain warfare doctrine, the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer was used with Excalibur precision-guided shells to strike terrorist camps without crossing the LoC. Spencer mentioned how its airliftability and rapid deployment made it ideal for high-altitude operations. India also deployed upgraded T-72s along the LoC for overwatch roles. The Zorawar, a new light tank optimized for high-altitude terrain, is under development and these systems signal India's continued investment in mobility and firepower in challenging Himalayan terrain, Specner wrote. Writing on India's deployment of some of its most advanced fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, Spencer said that the Rafales led deep precision strikes using SCALP long-range cruise missiles to hit fortified enemy positions. It also carried Meteor air-to-air missiles, capable of hitting targets over 100 kilometers away—giving India a decisive edge in air combat. Meanwhile, the Su-30MKI, a Russian-designed twin-engine heavy fighter built under license in India, and the Mirage 2000, another versatile French jet, provided firepower and flexibility, launching multiple strike packages and ensuring airspace control. "These jets flew under the protective umbrella of the Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, which acted like an eye in the sky—tracking enemy aircraft and coordinating the battlespace. Meanwhile, Rudram anti-radiation missiles were used in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions, disabling enemy radar and air defence systems to ensure safe air operations," the expert on military operatons detailed. On the other hand, Spencer gave a detailed Pakistan's strategic failures, also giving a detailed account of failure of Chinese systems. During Operation Sindoor, he wrote, the JF-17 Thunder aircraft - produced in Pakistan but designed and built by China's AVIC - failed to gain air superiority or contest Indian strikes. "Their limited payload, outdated radar, and poor survivability were evident under Indian EW and air defence pressure," said Spencer. With the F-16 Fighting Falcons sidelined by US end-user agreements during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was left without a frontline air dominance platform. "Chinese imitations of Russia's S-300 and Buk systems, the HQ-9 and HQ-16 were deployed to intercept Indian air and missile attacks. However, they failed under India's jamming and deception operations. These systems were easily bypassed by BrahMos and loitering drones, revealing critical weaknesses." The LY-80 and FM-90 air defence systems, also Chinese-made, were unable to detect or stop India's low-flying drones and precision munitions. This, said Spencer, forced Pakistan to rely on passive air defence rather than any credible kinetic response. Also used extensively by Pakistan for ISR and light strike roles, the CH-4s were repeatedly downed or jammed, underperforming in terrain and electronic environments dominated by India's D4S system. "Reports emerged that Turkish drone operators had to be brought in to manage UAVs — revealing both equipment and personnel dependency," said Spencer. Pakistan's key airborne early warning platform, Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C, was destroyed — likely by an S-400 system — crippling Pakistan's airspace awareness and blinding command and control functions. "By the end of the campaign, Pakistan had lost key radar stations, its premier AEW&C aircraft, dozens of drones, and its ability to contest Indian airspace," concluded Spencer. He also mentioned how India's defence stocks surged in May, gaining investor trust while, in contrast, the Chinese defence stocks fell sharply after Operation Sindoor with AVIC, NORINCO, CETC — all taking hits as the battlefield disproved their marketing.
