Is the Combat Readiness of Chinese Defence Equipment in Doubt?

The F-7BGI fighter jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) tragically crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College earlier this week, resulting in numerous fatalities, predominantly among children. This aircraft is a single-engine, lightweight fighter designed and produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China. It is regarded as a modernized variant of the Chengdu F-7, also referred to as J-7, which has its origins linked to the Soviet Mig-21. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and other nations have continued to enhance the F-7 to the F-7BGI for both training and limited combat functions. Production of the F-7 series was officially halted by China in 2013, with Bangladesh acquiring the last batch of these aircraft that same year. By the end of 2023, the PLAAF had decommissioned its entire J-7 fleet.

Since 1992, the BAF has recorded a total of 27 fighter aircraft crashes, including those involving trainers. From 2005 to the present, the BAF has suffered the loss of 11 aircraft due to accidents, with seven being of Chinese origin, three Russian, and one Czech. The majority of these incidents have involved aircraft sourced from China. Throughout these years, the BAF has lost several high-ranking officers, including Wing Commanders, Squadron Leaders, and Cadet pilots. Despite the outdated nature of its equipment, the BAF continues to pursue new defense agreements with Chinese manufacturers.

Approximately 85 percent of Bangladesh's defense equipment is imported from China. This includes tanks such as MBT-2000, Type 59, and Type 69, artillery systems, and infantry weapons for the army; frigates, missile boats, and Ming-class submarines for the navy; and fighter jets such as F-7 BGI and K-8W training jets for the air force.

Pakistan similarly relies on China for over 85 percent of its military needs. Despite its financial limitations and reliance on foreign loans, Pakistan has invested significantly over the past five years to procure Chinese defense equipment for military modernization. Pakistan possesses a considerable stockpile of Chinese weapons, including air defense systems, J-10 and JF-17 fighters, submarines, and naval vessels.

Between 2020 and 2024, China accounted for 81 percent of Pakistan's total arms imports, establishing Beijing as Islamabad's primary arms provider. This supply encompassed fighters like JF-17 Thunder (co-developed), J-10C Firebird; submarines such as Hangor-class (Type 039B/041); Type 054A/P Frigates (Tughril-class); air defense systems (ADS) like HQ-9 Long-Range Air Defense, and LY-80 (export version of HQ-16); tanks such as VT-4 Main Battle Tanks (Haider); artillery like SH-15 155mm howitzers; and drones including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) such as CH-4 'Rainbow'. Additionally, Wing Loong II and Azmat-class Fast Attack Crafts equipped with C-802A anti-ship missiles were developed with Chinese assistance. Concurrently, Pakistan continues to gravitate towards Chinese military platforms.

India's 'Operation Sindoor' following a devastating attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22 by the Pakistan-based terror group The Resistance Front (TRF) effectively neutralized several Pakistani air defense systems located near the border.

Chinese weaponry and the country's ambitious plan to transform Pakistan into a testing ground for its military technology have backfired, with Indian systems outperforming their Chinese counterparts. The HQ-9 Chinese air defense system failed to intercept Indian missiles, resulting in a strike on Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase in Chaklala Cantonment, which is considered vital to Pakistan's military infrastructure.

Significantly, China assisted Pakistan in adjusting its satellite surveillance over India during 'Operation Sindoor', which Pakistan recognized. In a notable electronic intelligence success, India captured distinctive signal emissions and system behaviors associated with the Pakistan Air Force's J-10C and JF-17 multirole fighters, and HQ-7 and HQ-9 missile systems, all of which are frontline Chinese military assets.

The Nigerian Air Force has also faced significant difficulties with the F-7Ni aircraft, which has been involved in several accidents, including a mid-air collision during an air display rehearsal in 2018. Seven aircraft were designated for advanced maintenance in China, including two slated for a life extension program with Chinese support within Nigeria. Likewise, multiple African nations such as Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan have encountered challenges with the subpar performance of Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) expressed dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of Chinese CH-4B drones in 2016, prompting them to list them for sale in 2019.

China is eager to sell its defense equipment to developing or least developed nations, often doing so indiscriminately. However, to maintain its military dominance globally, China refrains from exporting advanced iterations of its military hardware. Moreover, China has skillfully marketed its defense equipment to governments and regimes without consideration for human rights violations or the stability of recipient countries, resulting in little accountability. The flawed Chinese defense equipment continues to pose risks, leading to fatal incidents in various developing nations.

China's Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) significantly influences the defense and security dynamics of purchasing nations. China excels in utilizing espionage to acquire defense technology. Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) accused Beijing of such activities.

China ranks as the fourth-largest arms exporter worldwide, holding a 5.8 percent share of the global arms market. In 2010, it was the world's second-largest arms importer. China's rapid advancements across various domains—fighter jets, warships, missile systems, space technology, and drones—have alarmed numerous countries. Most of China's arms exports are directed towards Asia, with a considerable portion going to Pakistan.

China's defense exports reached a decade-high of USD $3.24 billion in 2022. However, it continues to struggle with the quality of sophisticated defense exports under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who aims to bolster China's status as a global military power. China offers weapons at attractive low prices, often accompanied by credits and soft loans, which contrasts with Western nations.

The growth of China's domestic defense industry has resulted in diminished quality control. Additionally, developing countries have limited alternatives, making affordability a critical factor. Weapons produced using inferior technologies, inconsistent performance, defective components, and inadequate after-sales support have become synonymous with China's military hardware. Such issues have tarnished and will likely continue to damage China's reputation as an arms exporter.

(The author is a specialist on South Asia and Eurasia. He previously worked with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views expressed are personal.)