By Bharat Lather
07 Sep , 2016
The relation between China and Pakistan goes back to Chinese civil war, where communist forces took over main land China, while the existing government fled to Taiwan. Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognize the new Chinese government and to break ties with the one in Taiwan.
China’s only overland link to Pakistan began in 1967 and got completed in 1979. Since that time, China and Pakistan have forged an important relationship.
The Sino-India War of 1962 served as a catalyst for Sino-Pak nexus in South Asia. By the end of 1962, both China and Pakistan had fought wars against India; the first being Indo-Pak Kashmir War of 1947-48 and the other being Sino-India War of 1962. Ultimately, to contain India, a strategic relationship was established between China and Pakistan. Their relationship can also be referred to Maoist-era strategy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.
Since, 1962, China continues to be in occupation of around 38000 square kilometers of Indian Territory in the Aksai Chin region of Jammu and Kashmir; another 5180 square kilometers ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963 border agreement. Having built the roads in Tibet by 1960s, China decided to link Pakistan and Xinjiang by a land route passing through Khunjerab pass which later came to be known as Karakoram Highway (KKH), China’s only overland link to Pakistan began in 1967 and got completed in 1979. Since that time, China and Pakistan have forged an important relationship. On one side, Pakistan provides an important link for China to the United States as well as to the Muslim countries in the area.
In fact, Pakistan was instrumental in facilitating President’s Richard Nixon first visit to China in 1972. This visit shifted the balance of the Cold War, an aligned communist China with the U.S. against the Soviet Union. In international relations, the two countries support each other unilaterally. China backs Pakistan’s claim in the Kashmir region against India; while Pakistan advocates for China’s authority over Tibet and Taiwan.
As of February, 2016, Pakistan happens to be the main recipient of Chinese exports, accounting for 35%.
China-Pakistan defense cooperation
China provided military support and assistance to Pakistan during a crucial time in 1966 when USA imposed an embargo on military sales. China began to supply arms to Pakistan after 1965 war. During the Pakistan’s military parade on 23rd March, 1966; Chinese ‘T’ series tanks and F-6 aircrafts appeared for the very first time.
Moving to other weapons, vehicles, small arms and ancillary items to equip 3 infantry divisions of Pakistani army, were also supplied by China. By 1970, Pakistan received 900 T-54, T-55 and T-59 tanks from China. The Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) was also set up with Chinese assistance in 1971. Being a Pilot project initially, the HIT is now supplying main battle tanks (MBT’s) to the Pakistan army such as Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar; both tanks are equivalent to Russia’s T-90 and T-72 tanks, respectively.
As of February, 2016, Pakistan happens to be the main recipient of Chinese exports, accounting for 35%. Therefore, in addition to linking foreign relations, the two powers militarily depend on each other.
Talking about the most notable deal, In April, 2015, China decided to sell 8 submarines to Pakistan worth $5 billion dollars, China’s largest military sales ever. AIP (Air independent propulsion) technology allows SSKs to operate underwater without surfacing of use of a snorkel for much longer periods of time. In addition, AIP technology helps in keeping the submarine quiet, thus reducing its acoustic signature. These advantages are more profound in the South Asian maritime theatre where there is close proximity between the two powers.
The JF-17 outwardly appears similar to existing Pakistani Air Force fighters, in particular the French Mirage V and the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. This is probably not a coincidence, and hints at extensive Chinese study of both fighters.
It is likely that the Pakistan Navy will aim to position these submarines as strategic assets (via nuclear-tipped land attack cruise missiles), so as to complete Pakistan’s second-strike triad. The inclusion of these eight Chinese submarines will go a significant way in strengthening the Pakistan Navy’s anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities; which already operates 3 Agosta 90Bs AIP submarines.
JF-17 Thunder: A symbol of Sino-Pak defense cooperation
Pakistan, traditionally a strong customer for American weapons, purchased several dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons in the 1980s and 1990s. The first 40 were delivered but a second batch of 28 was not, held up by American disapproval over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. This delay sparked an effort by Pakistan to diversify the sources of its weapons. The need for fighters coincided with China’s burgeoning military aviation industry, and the JF-17 Thunder was born. The JF-17 outwardly appears similar to existing Pakistani Air Force fighters, in particular the French Mirage V and the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. This is probably not a coincidence, and hints at extensive Chinese study of both fighters.
First flight for the JF-17 was in Chengdu, China in August 2003, with initial production in 2007 and operational status in 2011. JF-17 Thunder has an extensive suite of features common to modern fighters: a fly-by-wire control system, pulse-Doppler radar for detection and air to air engagement (including beyond-visual-range capability), in-flight refueling capability, a laser designator for ground attack, an advanced defensive countermeasures suite, and an ergonomic cockpit featuring a heads-up display and full-color digital displays. It continues to benefit from the breakneck pace of Chinese aerospace development, with new engines, a new electro-optical, helmet-mounted targeting system and avionics upgrades all planned for the near future.
In order to enhance cooperation with armed forces and to share experience and information with each other, comprehensive military exercises are planned and executed.
The JF-17 is a lightweight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft, powered by a Russian-designed but Chinese-built Klimov RD-93 (RD-33 derivative) turbofan, capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 1.6. The fighter purportedly has an operational range of around 1,200 kilometers (745 miles). Pakistan produces 58% of the airframe and China 42%. The JF-17 is intended to replace the PAF’s fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 and Chengdu J-7 fighter jets by 2020. Overall, there are 65 JF-17 aircraft currently in service with the PAF and plans to field 150 JF-17s by 2020.
Joint military exercises
In addition to the buying and selling of arms, both countries also indulge in conducting joint military exercises from time to time. In order to enhance cooperation with armed forces and to share experience and information with each other, comprehensive military exercises are planned and executed.
The most prominent exercises held in the recent past include “YOUYI” which means “friendship” and another one named “Shaheen”. The YOUYI exercise is a brigade level exercise in which Special Forces from both armies take part. Since its inception in 2004, numerous successive exercises have been held under this name, both in China as well as in Pakistan.
The second most prominent exercise happens to be Shaheen, which is about Air Force. Pakistan’s JF-17s and ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle (AWACS) planes have also been conducting joint Air Force exercises with PLAAF in the remote areas (POK, Xinjiang and Punjab province) of their respective countries; code-named as ‘ Shaheen’, since 2011. It is specifically designed with an objective of securing complete aerial supremacy vis-à-vis India.
Pakistan’s Air-Defense capabilities are being bolstered by its “all weather friend” China
China continues to provide highly sophisticated weaponry to Pakistan in order to bolster its air-defense capabilities. Till now, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had inducted five Chinese made ZDK-03 AWACS (Airborne-Warning and Control System) aircraft into its inventory, a system that would give the PAF eagle eyes in the skies. It is capable of 360-degree scanning and is able to obtain three coordinates (distance, speed and altitude) accurately at the same time.
Pakistan has recently procured six HQ-16 (40km) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems from China.
The ZDK-03 is also equipped with a sophisticated ESM system that can intercept and analyze signals from airborne and surface emitters, giving the PAF stand-off warnings against possible air threats. The system can also monitor Indian vessel movement in the sea and simultaneously coordinates the in-Flight Fighter – aircrafts with Ground-base and with other friendly Aircrafts. Its long-ranged radar which can detect up to 450km would enable Pakistani crew to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions deep inside Indian Territory while flying within its own airspace.
On the other hand, the recently inducted FM-90 happens to be an export-version of “HQ-7″. It is fitted with an S-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna. It can detect up to 48 targets and track up to 24 targets simultaneously. Maximum detection range is 25km and maximum tracking range is 20km. It can engage helicopters, aircrafts, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles and anti-radiation missiles at a range of up to 15 km. It is claimed that a hit probability with a single shot is more than 85% at a maximum intercept altitude of 6000 meters. Moreover, Pakistan has recently procured six HQ-16 (40km) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems from China.
Presence of Chinese in POK and other parts of Pakistan
The presence of Chinese in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) happens to be an open-secret. In August 2010, the New York Times had reported about the influx of 7000-11000 PLA troops in Gilgit-Baltistan (POK). Under CPEC, China is building tunnels in leepa valley in the POK to build an all weather road that will serve as an alternative route to reach Karakoram Highway. On the other hand, 577km tunnels have been constructed to ensure year-round land connectivity.
Pakistan plans to build around 400 bunkers at its eastern front, out of which 150-200 are already built with the help of Chinese assistance.
In September 2015, the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the tunnels, also called Also called the Pakistan-China Friendship Tunnels. Fears have been expressed in New Delhi that these tunnels could be used not only for rapid movement of troops and materials from China and Pakistan but also for stationing missiles (Anti-Air, Ballistic, and Cruise) in POK.
In the western area opposite Jammu and Kashmir, China has airfields at Kashgar and Khotan. These are 800 km and 600 km away from Indian bases. This drawback can be overcome by using the Pakistani airbases in Gilgit-Baltistan and POK. The 5 air fields (Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas, Chitral and Muzaffarabad) in POK also might be used against India by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to its benefit. This adds a new and very dangerous dimension to the Sino-Pak nexus in this vital region.
Talking about Chinese presence in other parts of Pakistan; China, which has received the right to operate Gwadar port for 40 years that would allow them to have a permanent presence near the Strait of Hormuz. While talking of Pakistan’s Eastern front, Chinese continues to assist Pakistani army in building compact size, all weather bunkers. Pakistan plans to build around 400 bunkers at its eastern front, out of which 150-200 are already built with the help of Chinese assistance.
China’s policy of nuclear proliferation in South Asia
Pakistan is the only Muslim country known to possess nuclear weapons and majority of its nuclear materials and missiles have reportedly come from China. China, a staunch ally of Pakistan’s, provided blueprints for the bomb, as well as highly enriched uranium, tritium, scientists and key components for a nuclear weapons production complex, among other crucial tools. Therefore, without China’s help, Pakistan’s bomb would have not existed.
The U.S. Congressmen reportedly said that they are specifically alarmed over the supply of TEL systems, which would provide instant mobility to Pakistan’s medium range nuclear ballistic missiles like Shaheen II and Shaheen III…
Maintaining robust defense relations with Pakistan, in 1992, China provided Pakistan with 34 short-range ballistic M-11 missiles, showing another significant development related to defense cooperation. Till now, Beijing has assisted in building six nuclear reactors in Pakistan. Furthermore, China continues to defend its decision and says that nuclear reactors to Pakistan are accordance with the principles of NSG and under the supervision of UN’s nuclear watchdog.
Pakistan, which is neither an NPT member nor under full- scope of IAEA safeguards is therefore ineligible to receive such assistance under NSG rules. The steady production of weapons-grade plutonium (via the Khushab Complex) and the miniaturization of warheads were coupled with the testing of tactical cruise missiles – the 750km range Babur and the 350km range Ra’ad. These comparatively smaller missiles enabled Pakistan to class a wide range of tactical systems – such as fighter aircraft and submarines – as potential nuclear delivery platforms.
Moreover, one would assume that smaller and relatively high-yield (via tritium boosting) plutonium warheads would be produced in greater numbers, easier to distribute – and that too in a much wider delivery network encompassing conventional assets – and more difficult to track.
A couple of months ago, The U.S. Congressmen reportedly said that they are specifically alarmed over the supply of Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) systems, which would provide instant mobility to Pakistan’s medium range nuclear ballistic missiles like Shaheen II (2500km) and Shaheen III (2750km) as well as would dramatically decrease the chances of being detected through satellites. It would also allow Pakistan military to deploy its solid-fueled nuclear capable medium-range ballistic missiles (Shaheen II and Shaheen III) at its forward strategic military bases like Rahwali, Sargodha etc; eventually reducing the reaction time for New Delhi.
By building up Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and missile systems, China has effectively checkmated India and blind-sided its challenge as China’s main Asian rival.
Pakistan’s ballistic missiles are believed to have incorporated many advanced technologies similar to current generation China’s ballistic missiles, including the use of penetration aids such as decoys or chaff and maneuverable reentry vehicles to complicate India’s missile warning and defense system; making their strike extremely potent. In this regards, Pakistan’s Strategic Force Command, which holds the missiles and nukes, announced in 2004 that Pakistan has shown interest in building multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). This leads to many analysts and thinkers who are of the view that Pakistan has achieved this capability.
Pakistan has developed its MIRVs capability for Shaheen II ballistic missiles and is currently working on Shaheen III ballistic missiles. By building up Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and missile systems, China has effectively checkmated India and blind-sided its challenge as China’s main Asian rival.
Conclusion
Traditionally, access to U.S. aid and armaments has served as a means for Pakistan to procure technologically advanced weaponry, especially during the Cold War. The F-16 is perhaps the most identifiable example of this fact. The F-16 served as the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)’s qualitative spear tip since its induction in the 1980s. However, the PAF is not the only service arm to be dependent on American arms in this manner. The mainstay of the Pakistan Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet is comprised of Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion aircrafts. The Army’s dedicated attack helicopter fleet is centered on the AH-1F/S Cobra, and it secured a purchase of 15 Bell AH-1Z Vipers.
…the U.S. seeks to contain China, and India gradually creeps into Washington’s sphere of interests, then Beijing will have an interest in positioning Pakistan as a counterweight to India (so as to relieve pressure).
While workhorse units are generally of Chinese origin, the Pakistani military has still sought Western armaments as a means to maintain and build its qualitative capabilities. For example, it was the F-16s – via the Block-52+ and Mid-Life Update (MLU) – that introduced modern precision-strike, advanced tactical data-link connectivity and beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air capabilities to the PAF fighter fleet. In light of Pakistan’s systemic economic troubles, U.S. assistance has been a central component in helping the Pakistani armed forces acquiring modern American weaponry. With the stop on CSF and the refusal to provide Foreign Military Financing (FMF) support for a proposed sale of eight F-16C/D Block-52+, Pakistan should consider this avenue shut.
This leaves Pakistan with the limited set of options, most probably China, which views Pakistan as strategically valuable on two main fronts: long-term economic progress and militarily offsetting India. As long as the U.S. seeks to contain China, and India gradually creeps into Washington’s sphere of interests, then Beijing will have an interest in positioning Pakistan as a counterweight to India (so as to relieve pressure).
As demonstrated with a recent purchase for 8 AIP powered submarines, Beijing is willing to offer Pakistan flexible support mechanisms – e.g. financing options – as a means to fulfill its defense needs. It is likely that a large number of Pakistan’s future defense requirements like HQ-9 (200km) and 5th generation, Shenyang J-31 which got prominently displayed at the Zhuhai 2014 Air show, with a larger fuselage, improved indigenous engines, stealthier features and improved sensors would be drawn from the Chinese industry.
In the coming years, their developmental goals would be inter-twined with billions already spent in the form of China-Pakistan Economic corridor (CPEC). Together both China and Pakistan are expected to grow as long as they are fueled by one another.
© Copyright 2016 Indian Defence Review
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