China has been systematically using Pakistan as a strategic conduit to expand its defence footprint across the Middle East and wider region, according to a report by the US-based think tank Middle East Forum. The most recent illustration of this dynamic is a defence deal between Pakistan and the Libyan National Army, involving 16 JF-17 fighter jets, training aircraft, and a broader military package valued at more than $4 billion.

The Libya Deal and Its Fallout

The Pakistan-Libya agreement has drawn sharp international condemnation. Critics argue it risks weakening the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, potentially escalating the country's internal conflict by altering the military balance on the ground. Concerns have also been raised about the legitimacy of the recipient force — the Libyan National Army — and the broader geopolitical ramifications of the deal. Notably, the arrangement illustrates how Beijing can deepen its global defence presence while insulating itself from direct diplomatic criticism by routing transactions through Islamabad.

China's Growing Grip on Pakistan's Defence Sector

According to data cited by the Middle East Forum from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), more than 80 per cent of Pakistan's arms imports between 2021 and 2024 originated from China. This underscores the depth of defence, security, and intelligence integration between the two countries over recent years.

The report noted that while Pakistan continues to operate American military platforms — including F-16 fighter jets — and occasionally receives US military assistance, the bulk of its military inventory is now of Chinese origin. Pakistan is actively marketing the JF-17 fighter aircraft, co-produced with China, alongside other Chinese-origin systems such as drones and the HQ-9 air defence system.

A Growing Regional Sales Push

Recent reports point to an expanding list of countries with which Pakistan has held defence discussions or proposed deals, including Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Chinese media have suggested that Pakistan could be finalising multiple JF-17 agreements with several of these nations, with the aircraft being promoted through defence exhibitions, military diplomacy, and security cooperation initiatives.

One proposed arrangement, according to the report, could involve Pakistan supplying JF-17s to Saudi Arabia in exchange for financial arrangements linked to the $2 billion extended by Riyadh to Islamabad. The report noted, however, that 'no such deal has materialised yet, largely because of concerns regarding the quality of Chinese weapons, interoperability with existing US-origin systems, and broader financial considerations.'

Shifting Middle East Dynamics Open New Doors

The report highlighted that changing regional dynamics — particularly following the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding — could accelerate this trend. As Gulf Arab countries reassess their security priorities, Pakistan is positioned to promote Chinese-origin weapons systems to receptive buyers. The report cited Pakistan's dispatch of defence equipment, troops, and assets — including JF-17 jets — to Saudi Arabia following a ceasefire, as part of its defence pact commitments.

'This shows how Chinese-origin military systems can gain greater visibility in the region through Pakistan,' the report stated. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the extent to which this proxy defence-export model deepens will be closely watched by both Washington and regional capitals.