China-Pakistan air drills: much more than just symbolism

In 2018, Zhang Youxia, Deputy Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, said that military ties between China and Pakistan were the backbone of relations between the two countries. This comment came during the visit of Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, to China to resolve issues related to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

But why did China bring in military ties during talks of an economic partnership? The answer lies in the Pakistan-China relationship, which is defined by the self-proclaimed hegemony of India, which has been a major threat to both Pakistan and China’s economic interests. 

Inevitably, the strength of Pakistan-China’s joint economic interests is drawn from military power— the only way to keep away the unpredictable enemy.

The knight in this chess game has been the US; jumping over China to remain ahead as a superpower. India has put its eggs in the US basket, which enabled the militarization of the former’s defense industry--a part of the grand plan to keep China’s economic interest in Asia under threat. 

Never has India minced its words against CPEC. The argument that the economic corridor cuts through the disputed land of Kashmir at Gilgit-Baltistan may have turned sour had India not been restrained with the militarization of the South China sea, defense pacts between China and Pakistan, and the recent standoff in Ladakh.

India has complicated relations with both Pakistan and China. Both have been at war with India over border issues. Though it has been Pakistan’s modus operandi to build offensives against India’s claim on Kashmir, it was the Kargil war and India’s quick assessment of the situation followed by air retaliation that sent the partially defeated Pakistan military to their desks for a review of defense strategies, geopolitical position and the wherewithal to combat India. It also demanded advanced defense cooperation with China.

Inevitably, the strength of Pakistan-China’s joint economic interests is drawn from military power— the only way to keep away the unpredictable enemy.

Durdana Najam

In this context, the recently concluded joint air force exercises between China and Pakistan is meaningful. The exercises called Shaheen — or Falcon – IX were conducted at the newly operational Bholari air base in Sindh less than 200 km from the Indian border. 

Two spectacles were worth noting. One, the entire range of military aircraft used in the exercise was made in China, which included the new multirole JF-17 Thunder jointly produced by China and Pakistan. 

Two, US military ascendency was missing since Pakistan refrained from deploying any American equipment, whereas French Dassault Mirage 5 attack planes were included. China used fourth-generation Shenyang J-11 air superiority fighters and Chengdu J-10 multirole jets. Pakistan flew a mix of third-generation Chinese-made Chengdu F-7 interceptors. 

Commenting on the drill, China’s Defense Ministry said it would “deepen practical cooperation between the two air forces.”

On the other side of the aisle, Air Vice-Marshal Ahmed Sulehri predicted the exercises would ‘further enhance interoperability of both air forces, thereby fortifying brotherly relations between the two countries.”

China’s development in defense technology has upped India’s ante, which has since been adding to its strategic muscle. Recently, India hosted a massive Malabar 2020 naval exercise along with the US, Japan, and Australia. The inclusion of Canberra was an act to revive the quadrilateral security dialogue-- a loose body of four countries-- to build a democratic bulwark against China’s foray in Asia-Pacific and beyond. India has also signed with its quad partner security agreements ranging from intelligence sharing to logistical support. 

To Sudarshan Shrikhande, former Rear Admiral of India, the air exercise manifested a “larger strategic posture toward India.” The rising coherence and collusion between China and Pakistan, according to Shrikhande, has been a matter of concern for India. 

However, the triggering source behind the energized defense cooperation between China and Pakistan is the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) between India and the US, that allows New Delhi access to American satellite intelligence for better accuracy of the weapon. The agreement did not go well with Pakistan nor with China; both assessed it as a prelude to a new arms race in the region. In response to this, China and Pakistan signed new defense pacts. 

New alliances have changed the power game almost the world over, but the cold war mentality persists, which may restrict South Asia from getting full benefit from its share of the economic pie. Undoubtedly, the region’s peace is linked with the behavior of India and the US. 

*Durdana Najam is an oped writer based in Lahore. She writes on security and policy issues. She can be reached at [email protected]