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Economics May 08, 2026 5 min read Daily brief · #15 of 33

A year after Op Sindoor, China admits to providing ground support to Pakistan

One year after Operation Sindoor, Chinese state television (CCTV) broadcast admissions by Chinese engineers that they were physically present at Pakistani ai...

GS Paper 2 (IR India's Neighbourhood) GS Paper 3 (Internal Security Defence)

What Happened

  • One year after Operation Sindoor, Chinese state television (CCTV) broadcast admissions by Chinese engineers that they were physically present at Pakistani airbases during the May 2025 four-day conflict.
  • Zhang Heng, an engineer at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's (AVIC) Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, stated he was deployed at a Pakistani support base to ensure the J-10CE fighter jets and their associated systems could "perform at their full combat potential."
  • A colleague, engineer Xu Da, confirmed the team's role in supporting Pakistan's combat aviation operations; Zhang described working in conditions of near-50°C heat while hearing air-raid sirens and watching jets scramble.
  • Pakistan's J-10CE fleet of 36 aircraft — along with hundreds of PL-15E long-range air-to-air missiles — were supplied by China and played a central role in Pakistan's air operations during the conflict.
  • This is understood to be China's first official acknowledgement that its civilian defence-industry personnel were embedded with Pakistani military operations during an active interstate conflict.

Static Topic Bridges

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the J-10CE

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is a Chinese state-owned aerospace and defence conglomerate, established in 2008 through the merger of AVIC I and AVIC II. It is one of the world's largest defence manufacturers. The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), a subsidiary, designed and manufactures the J-10 series. The J-10CE is the export variant of the J-10C — a 4.5-generation multirole fighter — developed for Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force formally inducted the first batch of six J-10CEs at a ceremony in Kamra in March 2022.

  • J-10CE is a 4.5+ generation multirole combat aircraft powered by the WS-10B turbofan engine (approximately 31,000 lbs thrust).
  • Equipped with KLJ-10 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar — reported to offer a ~50 km detection range advantage over the F-16C Block 52 radar.
  • Armed with PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVR AAM) — export version with a range of approximately 145 km (full PL-15 range: 200–300 km, speed: Mach 5).
  • Pakistan's initial order: 20 aircraft valued at $1.525 billion USD; total fleet reached 36 aircraft.
  • The J-10CE was inducted into PAF in March 2022 with then-PM Imran Khan present at the ceremony.
  • China's PLARF (People's Liberation Army Rocket Force) uses a similar concept of civilian experts embedded in technology transfer arrangements.

Connection to this news: Zhang Heng worked at AVIC's Chengdu institute — the J-10CE's manufacturer. His presence at a Pakistani airbase during combat marks the first publicly confirmed instance of a Chinese defence-sector engineer embedded with a foreign military's live combat operations.

PL-15 Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR AAM)

Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVR AAMs) are guided missiles capable of engaging aerial targets at ranges exceeding visual line of sight — typically beyond 30 km. The PL-15 (Pili-15) is China's most advanced BVR AAM, developed by AVIC's subsidiary and designed to counter fifth-generation aircraft by defeating their electronic countermeasures. It is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker and a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor, giving it Mach 5 speed.

  • PL-15 full variant range: 200–300 km; Mach 5 speed.
  • PL-15E (export variant for Pakistan): approximately 145 km range — reduced deliberately to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) export thresholds or strategic considerations.
  • MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) is a voluntary export control arrangement (founded 1987, 35 members) that restricts transfer of missiles capable of carrying 500 kg payload to 300 km+ range.
  • India's comparable BVR AAM: the Meteor missile (on Rafale), with a "no-escape zone" reportedly exceeding 60 km; ASTRA Mk1 (indigenous, ~80 km range).
  • Pakistan's PL-15E deployment during May 2025 prompted significant analysis about the evolving air-power balance in South Asia.

Connection to this news: The CCTV broadcast confirmed Chinese engineers were on-site to maintain the J-10CE/PL-15 systems; this makes the Chinese technical presence a direct enabler of Pakistani air operations involving PL-15E missiles.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Strategic Relationship

The China-Pakistan relationship is often described as an "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership." Beyond CPEC (the $62 billion infrastructure corridor connecting Gwadar Port to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang), the defence dimension includes: technology transfer, joint manufacturing (JF-17 Thunder), weapons sales (submarines, aircraft, missiles), and satellite cooperation. China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier — accounting for over 80% of Pakistan's arms imports (SIPRI data).

  • China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier: >80% of Pakistani arms imports are Chinese-origin (SIPRI).
  • JF-17 Thunder: jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation; over 150 inducted into PAF.
  • CPEC: $62 billion (original figure); runs from Gwadar (Balochistan) to Kashgar (Xinjiang); part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • China has consistently blocked UN Security Council resolutions designating Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
  • The 2025 conflict marked the first time Chinese military-industrial personnel were confirmed present during an active India-Pakistan conflict — a qualitative escalation in China's military support posture.

Connection to this news: Zhang Heng's deployment represents the China-Pakistan defence relationship moving from arms transfers to active operational support — a strategic shift with direct implications for India's two-front strategic calculus.

Key Facts & Data

  • Zhang Heng's employer: AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute
  • J-10CE fleet size (Pakistan): 36 aircraft
  • J-10CE initial induction ceremony: March 2022, Kamra Airbase, Pakistan
  • J-10CE initial contract value: $1.525 billion for 20 aircraft + 240 PL-15E missiles
  • PL-15E range (export variant): ~145 km; PL-15 (domestic): 200–300 km
  • PL-15 speed: Mach 5
  • AVIC established: 2008 (merger of AVIC I and AVIC II)
  • China's share of Pakistan arms imports: >80% (SIPRI)
  • MTCR founded: 1987, with 35 member states
  • Operation Sindoor conflict duration: 4 days (May 7–10, 2025)
On this page
  1. What Happened
  2. Static Topic Bridges
  3. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the J-10CE
  4. PL-15 Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR AAM)
  5. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Strategic Relationship
  6. Key Facts & Data
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