Joint Chinese-Pakistani army training uses only Chinese equipment... “Suggestion of purchase possibility”

80% of Pakistan's arms imports come from China... Prospects for adjusting one-way dependency

(Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Hyun-jung = As it was confirmed that all weapons and equipment used in the first joint army training between China and Pakistan were made in China, it was diagnosed that this training may be a 'mastering' process prior to Pakistan's purchase of related weapons.

According to China's state-run English-language newspaper Global Times and China Central Television (CCTV) on the 15th, the two countries' armies held the opening ceremony of the 'Karakoram 2026' joint exercise the day before at a training base in Kurle, northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

This training is the first joint army training between the two countries and will be conducted under the theme of joint counter-terrorism operations and clearing operations in highlands.

The Global Times explained that all weapons and equipment used in the training were provided by the Chinese side, and that Chinese weapons such as personal weapons such as a new rifle (QBZ-191) and machine gun (QJB-201), armored vehicles, artillery equipment, and unmanned aerial vehicle defense systems were used.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military expert, said that various systems of Chinese weapons and equipment were used in this exercise. “It shows that China is providing weapons and equipment technology to Pakistan, and at the same time suggests the possibility of Pakistan purchasing such weapons in the future.”

He further explained that this training is a kind of rehearsal for the Pakistan Army and a preliminary proficiency process for operating Chinese weapons.

China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier, and according to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in Sweden in March, Chinese products accounted for 80% of Pakistan's major arms imports from 2021 to 2025.

During the same period, Pakistan's arms imports were calculated to have increased by 66% compared to the previous five years.

Pakistan introduced the Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jet in 2022, and is also operating the JF-17 fighter jet jointly developed with China. A project to introduce eight Chinese submarines worth about $5 billion (approximately 6.7 trillion won) is also being pursued.

Meanwhile, this joint training is attracting more attention as it was carried out at a time when Pakistan is expected to reduce its dependence on Chinese weapons by recently signing a supply contract with an American drone company invested by U.S. President Donald Trump's two sons.

Last month, the U.S. drone company Powerus signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to supply drone-related technology to the Pakistani military, and Powerus said it expects this contract to reduce Pakistan's dependence on Chinese weapons.