China has remained tight-lipped regarding the underperformance of its weapons systems used by Pakistan in the recent India-Pakistan military confrontation, especially after India recovered an unexploded Chinese-made PL-15E missile. This silence comes amid increasing scrutiny over the quality and reliability of Chinese military hardware supplied to its strategic ally, Pakistan. The confrontation occurred during Operation Sindoor, launched by India in retaliation to a major terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that killed 26 civilians.

China’s Ambiguous Stand on Weapon Performance

During a media briefing on Thursday, Sr. Col. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, was asked pointedly about the performance of Chinese-manufactured weapons used by Pakistan, particularly the PL-15E radar-guided beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, which India claims was recovered unexploded.

In response, Zhang deflected the question, stating, “The missile you mentioned is an export equipment and has been shown at defence exhibitions at home and abroad many times.” He further avoided confirming or denying the missile’s use or performance, and instead reiterated a generalized call for restraint between India and Pakistan.

Zhang added, “We hope that both sides can remain calm and restrained and avoid action further complicating the situation,” echoing the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s previous stance. He emphasized that India and Pakistan are permanent neighbors, and stability should be prioritized in the region.

Operation Sindoor and the Use of Chinese Arms by Pakistan

The India-Pakistan conflict escalated between May 7 to May 10, 2025, following India's surgical strikes on terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These attacks were a response to the brutal Pahalgam terror incident. India named the retaliatory mission Operation Sindoor.

Reports indicate that Pakistan retaliated by launching air-based and ground-level counterattacks against Indian military installations. However, these efforts were largely neutralized by India's coordinated defence measures. Among the debris and damaged Pakistani equipment, Indian forces reportedly discovered an unexploded PL-15E missile, showcasing the direct involvement of Chinese-supplied weaponry in the conflict.

India has also alleged that China extended air defence and satellite support to Pakistan during the skirmishes, a claim Beijing has neither confirmed nor categorically denied.

Why the PL-15E Missile Matters

The PL-15E missile is an extended-range, radar-guided air-to-air missile developed by China, capable of engaging targets beyond visual range. While it has been promoted as a cutting-edge export product by Chinese defence manufacturers, its unexploded status post-launch has raised doubts about its reliability and combat readiness.

Indian defence officials argue that this incident casts a shadow on the real-world effectiveness of Chinese defence exports, especially considering that Pakistan's aerial and missile responses were largely unsuccessful during Operation Sindoor.

China’s Role and Strategic Interests

Despite remaining neutral in official communication, China has consistently maintained a policy of strategic support for Pakistan, particularly in the defence sector. According to a recent SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) report, China accounted for 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports from 2020 to 2024.

This relationship includes not only the supply of fighter jets, drones, air defence systems, and missiles, but also technical support, training, and satellite-based reconnaissance. The large-scale use of such systems during the recent conflict has brought the performance of these arms into international focus.

Notably, Chinese state media showed unusually high interest in the military confrontation between India and Pakistan, further suggesting Beijing’s concern over the operational outcomes of its weapon systems in a live conflict scenario.

India’s Defence Stand and Strategic Leverage

India’s swift and decisive response under Operation Sindoor, bolstered by the strategic deployment of assets like INS Vikrant and long-range precision strikes, not only demonstrated superior military planning but also exposed Pakistan's overreliance on Chinese technology.

With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh personally visiting key military bases, including the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, India's government sent a strong political and military message regarding its preparedness and response capabilities. The recovery of the unexploded PL-15E missile was presented to the media and internal defence circles as evidence of the inadequacy of Pakistan’s and, by extension, China’s military equipment.

Global Implications and Diplomatic Messaging

The incident has broader implications in the global arms trade and geopolitical trust. Nations that rely on Chinese arms might re-evaluate the performance and reliability of these systems in real combat situations. China's unwillingness to directly address the concerns raised by Indian officials could also impact its reputation as a major arms exporter.

From a diplomatic lens, China’s ambiguous and carefully worded responses are in line with its aim to balance ties with both India and Pakistan, although the reality remains that China and Pakistan maintain an ‘all-weather’ strategic partnership, particularly against India's growing regional influence.

Conclusion: China’s Silence Speaks Volumes

China's refusal to explicitly defend or disown the performance of its weapons used by Pakistan sends a silent but clear signal. As India emerges stronger and more assertive on the global defence stage, the exposure of ineffective Chinese weapons in real-world conflict could dent Beijing’s ambitions as a leading global arms supplier.

For India, the findings post-Operation Sindoor serve as both military intelligence and diplomatic leverage, allowing it to challenge the quality of adversarial defence capabilities and strengthen its own image as a regional power that can decisively defend its interests.

As tensions continue to simmer, China’s silence might be more damaging than outright denial, especially in a world that closely watches defence technologies and strategic alignments in volatile regions like South Asia.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Ganga Bath Fittings, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are 3B Films, N R Vandana Tex Industries, Scoda Tubes, Neptune Petrochemicals.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.