In May 2025, Pakistan and India engaged in a “Four-Day Conflict,” the most significant exchange of firepower since the Kargil conflict. Unlike its earlier conflicts, this limited yet high-stakes conflict saw Pakistan mobilise its up-to-date air defence systems, purchased from modern China, in full deployment, along with its fighter jets. Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) is strengthening its strategic collaboration with China to modernise its capabilities. Key acquisitions include around 20 J-10CE multirole fighters, equipped with AESA radar and PL-15E long-range missiles, enhancing air combat reach. The PAF has also procured the HQ-9BE and HQ-16FE air defence systems, forming a multi-layered air defence network. This marks a strategic pivot from historic U.S. reliance to China—now serving as both Pakistan’s primary defence supplier and key enabler of advanced military technologies.
J-10C: Establishing Air Superiority in Combat
The most notable aspect of the conflict was the successful battlefield debut of the J-10C, locally known as the Vigorous Dragon. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has achieved another milestone with China’s PL-15 BVR missiles, having conducted coordinated air patrols in the eastern front on May 7, 2025. Regional defence analysts report that PAF J-10Cs shot down at least three Indian aircraft, i.e., a Rafale, a Su-30MKI, and a Tejas Mk1A, with beyond-visual-range engagements.
According to reports, the PL-15 missile has an operational range of over 200 km, which provides it with the decisive ability to shoot down Indian planes before they can enter Pakistan’s airspace. The integration of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar improved the J-10C’s target acquisition and engagement capabilities, giving it an advantage over older-generation Indian aircraft. The Pakistan Air Chief Marshal described the performance of the J-10C as a milestone in the modernisation of the PAF, emphasising that the aircraft’s effectiveness in maintaining air dominance was accurate, precise, overwhelming, and achieved without any losses.
HQ-9: A Strategic Shield with Opportunities for Advancement
While the J-10C overshadowed offensive air power, the HQ-9B, a long-range surface-to-air missile in Pakistan, also played a significant role. The system has been deployed to protect large air bases and command facilities, and has reportedly intercepted various low-altitude UAVs and potential cruise missile threats in and around the areas of Sargodha and Bahawalpur, preventing losses.
During Operation Sindoor, Indian cruise missiles, namely SCALP-EG and BrahMos, tried to infiltrate Pakistani airspace and targeted various locations. Pakistan’s air defence system performed exceptionally well, using interceptors, Erieye AEW&C, LY-80, and HQ-9/P missiles to counter incoming threats. Although HQ-9 was not fully integrated into Pakistan’s early warning radars and AWACS systems, resulting in limited interception capability amid intense missile salvos. To address integration gaps, China has reportedly provided technical upgrades and enhanced training.
Networked Warfare in Action
The conflict demonstrated that Pakistan has moved toward a networked warfare doctrine. It is reported that coordination of J-10Cs, HQ-9 batteries, and ZDK-03/Karakoram Eagle AWACS enables real-time target tracking and threat prioritization.
The J-10Cs were deployed to attack targets identified by air surveillance resources, a feature that became essential for reducing collateral damage and maximising resource efficiency. The Pakistan Army also mobilised short-range defence systems, such as LY-80, to support a longer-range HQ-9 umbrella system, successfully countering Indian UAVs attempting reconnaissance and kamikaze attacks.
The Pakistani government announced that it will procure a substantial package of advanced military systems from China, including the fifth-generation stealth-capable J-35A fighter jets, the long-range HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system, and the KJ-500 AEW&C platform, signalling deepening strategic defence ties between Islamabad and Beijing.
Pakistan Future Defence Posture
Pakistan’s Future defence posture is built on a clear strategic vision centred on strengthening deterrence and modernising capabilities to confront evolving threats. Pakistan is actively developing a strong system of retaliation through the avenues of, air and land-based stand-off attack to maintain credible deterrence. Efforts are being made to integrate long-range precision weapons into the PAF’s operational system and to conduct joint military exercises with China, in preparation for coordinating a multi-domain response.
Comprising future acquisitions such as the J-35AE stealth fighter, additional AWACS, interceptors like the HQ-19, and the KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft, this future defence structure is already forming a self-sustaining defence force designed around deterrence and prepared to defend national sovereignty in an increasingly demanding security environment.
Conclusion
The modernisation of air defence, involving Chinese air defence arsenals such as J-10C and HQ-9BE, has established a new frontier of power and deterrence in Pakistan. The Four-Day Conflict of 2025 served as a testing ground the existing systems proved their combat efficiency and operational readiness for real-time deployment. Although the performance revealed several gaps in integration and response coordination, the overall results indicated a successful shift towards a layered, networked, and resilient defence approach.
The J-10C fighter jets demonstrated that Pakistan now has a formidable first line of air defence, capable of effectively countering or surpassing regional rivals in BVR battles. The HQ-9 system showed significant potential and continues to advance through tactical improvements, greater integration, and more efficient real-time coordination, bolstering Pakistan’s air defence capabilities.
