DG ISPR Lauds Performance of Chinese Weaponry

Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has commended the effectiveness of Chinese-manufactured weapons systems employed during a recent four-day confrontation. He noted that these systems performed with distinction.

“Recent Chinese platforms have showcased exceptional capabilities,” Lt Gen Chaudhry stated during a recent interview in Islamabad.

“We maintain an open approach to diverse technologies,” he added, highlighting Pakistan’s strategy for defense procurement.

The conflict marked a significant deployment of modern Chinese systems, notably the J-10C fighters, which Pakistan credited with successfully downing several Indian aircraft, including Rafales of French origin. The performance of these systems has been subject to considerable observation since the conflict.

The DG ISPR mentioned that Pakistan has revised its count of Indian aircraft downed to seven, increasing from the previously reported six. This revised figure aligns with a statement made recently, where it was claimed “they just shot down seven planes,” without specifying the responsible party.

An Indian Ministry of Defence representative did not directly respond to the updated claim. They referenced a previous address by India’s Air Force chief, who asserted that Indian forces had destroyed roughly a dozen Pakistani aircraft during the same period.

The DG ISPR clarified that Pakistan did not suffer any aircraft losses. He emphasized, “Pakistan has consistently maintained accuracy in its reporting of figures and facts.”

In August, Pakistan officially inducted the Z-10ME attack helicopter into its military inventory, a model analogous to those utilized by China along its border.

Last month, President Asif Ali Zardari visited Chengdu, China, touring the defense establishment responsible for producing the J-10 fighter jet.

While the ISPR chief refrained from confirming a continued preference for Chinese arms, he pointed out that Pakistan procures defense equipment from both Chinese and Western suppliers. “Our development strategy prioritizes the acquisition of platforms and technologies that offer the greatest effectiveness, efficiency, and economic value,” he stated.

He clarified that Pakistan is not engaged in a military competition with India, emphasizing that its military budget represents “a fraction” of that of its neighbor. “We operate under financial constraints,” he added.

Reports indicate Pakistan allocated $10.2 billion to defense expenditures last year, while India’s allocation amounted to $86.1 billion.

However, when considered as a proportion of each nation’s GDP, defense spending was approximately equivalent, with Pakistan allocating 2.7% and India allocating 2.3%.