China’s Expanding Arms Exports Raise Alarm as Pakistan Emerges as Top Buyer: Pentagon

China continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading arms exporters, with Pakistan emerging as its largest defence customer, according to a new report released by the US Department of Defense.

In its 2025 report titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, the Pentagon stated that China remains the world’s fourth-largest arms supplier, exporting a wide range of military equipment across air, land, and maritime domains. The findings have raised strategic concerns for both India and the United States amid growing military cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad.

The report noted that China primarily uses state-owned defence firms such as Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) to facilitate arms exports. By December 2024, China had supplied significant quantities of military hardware globally, with small arms largely directed toward developing and Third World countries.

Pakistan Receives Advanced Chinese Military Hardware

Pakistan has emerged as China’s most significant defence partner, receiving advanced combat systems not supplied to any other country. According to the report, China has delivered a total of 36 J-10C multirole fighter jets to Pakistan since 2020, making it the only foreign operator of the aircraft.

In addition to fighter jets, China supplied four naval frigates to Pakistan between 2017 and 2018 and has delivered a range of military drones, including Caihong and Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles. These systems enhance Pakistan’s capabilities across land, air, and sea, underscoring the deepening strategic and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The report also highlighted China’s growing portfolio of export-ready combat aircraft, including the fifth-generation FC-31 stealth fighter, the J-10C multirole aircraft, and the jointly developed China-Pakistan JF-17 light combat aircraft.

Growing Global Footprint of Chinese Arms

Beyond Pakistan, Chinese military drones have been supplied to several countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Morocco, Myanmar, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates. China has also sold naval frigates to Bangladesh and other Southeast Asian nations.

Looking ahead, the Pentagon assessed that China is likely to expand its naval export market over the next five years, with existing customers including Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand.

The report further observed that many developing nations, particularly in Africa, are increasingly turning to Chinese arms due to their lower cost compared to Western alternatives. To counter concerns about quality and reliability, China often offers financial incentives such as flexible payment options, trade-for-minerals arrangements, and government-backed financing.

Strategic Implications

Analysts note that China’s expanding arms exports, combined with its deepening military ties with Pakistan, could have significant implications for regional security dynamics in South Asia. The Pentagon report suggests that Beijing’s ability to offer affordable weaponry backed by financial support gives it a competitive edge over Western defence suppliers.