Why does Pakistan buy defective Chinese weapons?

Pakistan’s recent acquisition of Chinese-made weapons like the HQ-9 air defense system and PL-15 missiles points at a significant shift in the country’s defense procurement strategy. While the US and Europe remain important suppliers of military technology to Pakistan, the growing reliance on China marks a new phase in Pakistan’s defense modernization, However, this shift is not without challenges.

In 2022, Pakistan, the largest importer of Chinese military equipment, found that at least four Chinese frigates, F-22P commissioned in July 2009, were giving nightmares to Pakistani Navy officers, as per a report in Geopolitica. Three of these frigates were bought from the China Shipbuilding Trading Company, while one was built at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works on the basis of a technology transfer from the Chinese company. These included defects in on-board imaging device of the missile system, infra-red sensor system and SR 60 radars, and low engine speed caused by high turbocharger exhaust temperatures, the report said. Defective critical components and poor service from Chinese manufacturers have forced the Pakistani Navy to operate these four frigates with degraded operational capabilities.

Defective performance is the price Pakistan pays for buying cheap Chinese military equipment for financial and geopolitical reasons. No wonder, its HQ-9 air defence system procured from China failed during Operation Sindoor to protect from onslaughts of Indian missiles which struck nine sites of terror infrastructure such as the Muridke headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba with pinpoint accuracy as well as more than a dozen air bases where before and after satellites images provided by Indian military show precise hits on high-value targets. Similarly, Pakistan's PL-15 air-to-air missile too failed to hit targets, as shown by the Indian military. Its Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, which various source-based reports claim downed a few of India's more advanced jets, actually failed to deter India's massive air offensive nor could hit inside India.

A RAND report highlighted risks of Chinese military exports

A report published two years ago by American think tank RAND Corporation, with close ties to the Pentagon, said China's defense industry had exported malfunctioning and defective military equipment in recent years — leaving countries short of what's needed for their security while also draining military budgets. Citing examples of faulty fighter jets sold to Nigeria and Myanmar and Pakistan's malfunctioning Chinese equipment, the report by Cindy Zheng said, "China attracts customers for its military equipment with cut-rate pricing and financing, but there are hidden costs—especially when gear malfunctions. A lack of technological compatibility with the Chinese military equipment can prove particularly expensive. Countries often do not have the personnel with the expertise and training to resolve issues. They also can have difficulty acquiring replacement parts.

"Chinese suppliers have demonstrated little accountability for maintenance or repair. That has pushed some countries to recruit help from third countries. For instance, the Myanmar military forged partnerships with Pakistani technicians to solve its technical problems with the JF-17. Delays in getting equipment working can significantly slow down recipient countries' military modernization timeline," the report said.

The allure of Chinese military equipment

The primary reason why countries like Pakistan increasingly purchase Chinese-made weapons is cost. In a world where defence budgets are often limited, the financial burden of procuring military technology can be overwhelming. Chinese systems, including air defence systems, fighter jets and missiles, are often significantly cheaper than equivalent systems from the US, Europe or Russia. This affordability is particularly appealing to nations with limited defense spending power.

Beyond the lower upfront costs, China also offers easier financing options. Countries that are unable to immediately fund large defense procurements can benefit from loans, extended payment plans, or deferred payments offered by Chinese defense manufacturers. These financing terms allow countries to procure advanced weapons without the immediate financial strain that would come from Western or Russian alternatives, which often require substantial upfront payments or have more restrictive credit terms. For Pakistan, for example, which has faced financial instability and external pressure due to its military expenditures, Chinese military deals are appealing because they allow the country to modernize its defense systems without putting a significant strain on its economy. This is a stark contrast to Western suppliers like the US or European nations, which often impose stringent conditions and have been reluctant to offer financing that is as favorable as what China provides.

Another RAND report in 2022 found that during 2018–2021 as many as 48 countries received Chinese weapons or private security contractors during, including 14 countries that received both. The research showed that these were smaller countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. "Its largest customers are in South Asia and Africa, though it has also made a push into South America. China has also benefited as countries in the Middle East and North Africa have sought to reduce their dependency on Western military suppliers. Soft power and image-building are China's major motivators in these regions, setting the foundation for ties in the same way that its Belt and Road infrastructure projects do," the previously cited RAND report said.

The report went on to say that China fills the gap where bigger countries go missing. "China also isn't particularly discerning in who it will or won't sell to. Its arms deals have few political contingencies involved. In Africa, sales appear driven by profit and trying to grab market share from Russia. If a country worries its human rights records, financial credibility, or regime stability might harm its eligibility to purchase military equipment from Western suppliers, China is always an option," the report said.

However, the low quality of Chinese military equipment did bring down its arms exports. As per data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, there was a 23 percent decrease in China's arms exports between the four-year periods of 2013–17 and 2018–22. "Affordability will remain an issue for developing countries looking to bolster their hardware and supplies. They also may have few alternatives. But if recipient countries continue to view Chinese military equipment as unreliable long term, or find training and maintenance contracts lacking, they may not want to become completely dependent on Chinese suppliers," the RAND report said.

The appeal of Chinese military systems lies primarily in their affordability and financing terms. For smaller countries, these systems offer a way to modernize their forces without the crippling financial burden posed by more advanced Western or Russian alternatives. The HQ-9 and PL-15, while not as reliable or sophisticated as the U.S.-made Patriot or Aegis air defense systems, or the Meteor missile systems from Europe, represent an affordable path to keeping pace with regional military developments.

Smaller nations, especially those like Pakistan, which find themselves in volatile geopolitical environments, may choose to take this risk because the immediate financial benefits far outweigh the concerns about long-term reliability. In the case of Pakistan, the broader China-Pakistan strategic partnership and easy financing options provided by China make the acquisition of Chinese systems like the HQ-9 and PL-15 appealing, even if these systems are not as tested or dependable as their Western or Russian counterparts.