The Chinese apart from their political confrontation with India continues to support India’s arch-enemy – Pakistan economically, diplomatically and militarily.
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The last two decades have seen Pakistan finding a new friend in China on the back of an unpleasant relationship with the United States. Much of China’s growth in becoming a dominant power in Asia lies in its strategy of evolving the biggest economic and defense partner of Pakistan.
With Pakistan increasingly becoming a terror funding state, a part of the blame is on China for making it one. As Beijing continues to sell some of its most powerful weapons, Pakistan is moving closer to becoming a military nightmare for India.
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The EurAsian Times gets an Oped from National Interest on the most dangerous weapons that China sold to Pakistan.
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1. The Nuclear Weapons
China is accused of offering Pakistan missile components, highly-enriched uranium, and warhead designs. China continues to provide nuclear assistance to Pakistan in its nuclear program amid growing regional conflict with India. This, undoubtedly, is the most dangerous assistance Pakistan has received from China.
2. JF-17 Fighter
Built jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC, the JF-17 thunder, called Xiao Long that literally translates into Fierce Dragon, is a premier multirole fighter with an active radar air-to-air missiles including air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
Even though it is termed as a “budget aircraft”, JF-17 brings modern capability and ergonomics for its price. While it could be a tough opponent, many experts believe in New Delhi that it is a no match for the Russian supplied Su-30MKIs.
3. A-100 Multiple Rocket Launcher
Deemed as one of the deadliest artillery systems, multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) have the capability to wipe out entire static units. With a maximum range of 120km and a minimum firing range of 40km, A100 MRL takes eight minutes to prepare a launcher vehicle.
It is primarily used to attack important areas like radar stations, command centers, airfields, etc. Both India and Pakistan possess long-range MRLs and are considered key in conventional strategies. In 2008, the first units of the MRLs were purchased by Pakistan from the Chinese.
4. Al-Khalid Tank
While Pakistan calls it Al-Khalid Tank, the VT-1A was jointly developed by the Chinese along with Pakistan. Often referred to as a capable tank in the South Asian Region, it is designed to be capable of combating the T-72Ms that comprise most of the Indian tank forces.
The 125 mm smooth-bore tank is automatically refilled, it is operated by three and uses a night control system. The advanced Indian T-90S may be a heavyweight for VT-1A, Pakistan is opting for the high variant of VT-1A design, VT-4 being developed by China.
5. HQ-16
The Chinese built HQ-16, a reverse-engineered model of the Russian Buk-M2, targets the cruise missiles, short and medium-range ballistic missiles, and low-flying aircraft. Pakistan military that has, for long, dependent on the PAF for its defense, it has now turned its head towards the HQ-16.
Even though it has a vertical launch vehicle and missiles with enhanced reaction time, Pakistan is in talks with China to buy a longer-ranged variant of HQ-16, the HQ-9.
