New Delhi — According to defence analysts cited by the Times of India, Beijing is increasingly channeling weapons to conflict‑prone states in the Middle East by leveraging Pakistan’s defence export network. The strategy, described as a “triangular” arrangement, allows China to circumvent direct scrutiny while expanding its market share in a region where Western arms sales face political constraints.
The report notes that Pakistan’s Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) has facilitated the transfer of Chinese‑made missiles, drones and artillery systems to countries such as Iraq, Syria and Yemen. In several cases, Pakistani officials have acted as intermediaries, handling licensing, financing and after‑sales support for equipment originally manufactured in China’s state‑run factories.
Indian security experts warn that the arrangement strengthens China’s strategic foothold in the Gulf and South‑Asia, while also complicating New Delhi’s own defence procurement plans. “Pakistan’s role as a conduit amplifies Beijing’s reach without exposing it to direct diplomatic backlash,” one analyst said, citing recent procurement contracts worth an estimated $500 million.
The Times of India article points to specific deals, including the sale of the CJ‑10 cruise missile system and Wing Loong‑II combat drones. Pakistani representatives reportedly negotiated the terms with Iraqi and Syrian officials, after which the hardware was shipped from Chinese ports to Pakistani bases before being forwarded onward.
U.S. officials have previously expressed concern over similar pathways, noting that Chinese weapons have been found in the hands of non‑state actors across the region. The current pattern, however, appears more institutionalised, with Pakistan’s defence ministry formally acknowledging its role in “facilitating strategic partnerships” with China.
Analysis: The triangular supply chain serves multiple interests. For China, it expands export revenues and deepens ties with both Pakistan and Middle‑Eastern states that are wary of Western restrictions. Pakistan benefits from technology transfer, training and financial inflows that bolster its own defence industry. Meanwhile, the arrangement may undermine regional stability by providing advanced weaponry to actors engaged in protracted conflicts. Observers suggest that the model also allows Beijing to test new platforms in combat environments indirectly, gathering performance data without committing its own forces.
The growing dependence on Pakistan as a conduit could expose Beijing to reputational risk if any of the transferred arms are linked to civilian casualties or violations of arms‑embargoes. It also raises questions for India, which must navigate a security landscape where a rival power’s influence is amplified through a neighbouring state’s diplomatic and military channels.
Sources
Times of India, “China’s pawn in the Middle East? How Beijing ‘uses’ Pakistan to sell weapons,” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/chinas-pawn-in-the-middle-east-how-beijing-uses-pakistan-to-sell-weapons/articleshow/132182278.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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