{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "China Leans on Pakistan to Open a Back Door Into West Asia's Arms Market",
  "summary": "A US think tank report says China is using Pakistan as a conduit for its strategic interests, pointing to a more than 4 billion dollar deal between Pakistan and the Libyan National Army for 16 JF-17 fighter jets and other military hardware.",
  "content": "A report from the US based think tank Middle East Forum claims China is using Pakistan as a channel to push its own strategic interests forward, and the clearest example of that is a major defence deal between Pakistan and the Libyan National Army. The deal, worth more than 4 billion dollars, covers 16 JF-17 fighter jets, training aircraft and other military equipment.\n\nWhy the Libya deal raises alarms\nThe report warns that this deal could weaken the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, shift the military balance in the country's internal conflict, and raise geopolitical tension across the wider region. In other words, what looks like a straightforward arms purchase could end up destabilising an already fragile part of the world.\n\nPakistan's growing reliance on Chinese weapons\nCiting data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, known as SIPRI, the think tank notes that more than 80 percent of Pakistan's arms imports between 2021 and 2024 came from China alone. That figure shows just how quickly Pakistan's dependence on Chinese weaponry has grown, and how firmly China has embedded itself in Pakistan's defence sector. The report also points out that Pakistan still flies American origin F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and periodically receives US military assistance, but the bulk of its military capability now rests on Chinese origin hardware. Alongside the jointly built JF-17 fighter jet, Pakistan is actively marketing Chinese drones, the HQ-9 air defence system and other Chinese defence equipment in the international arms market.\n\nTalks with a dozen countries\nAccording to the report, recent months have seen a rise in defence talks and potential deals between Pakistan and countries including Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia. Chinese media has also claimed that Pakistan is working to finalise JF-17 deals with several of these nations.\n\nA possible Saudi arrangement\nThe report adds that under a possible agreement with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan could arrange financing in exchange for supplying JF-17 jets, though no such deal has been finalised yet. The reasons cited include the quality of Chinese weapons systems, how well they mesh with existing American systems, and financial considerations.\n\nWhy this matters for the United States\nDespite all these complications, the report states that China is using Pakistan as a gateway to enter the region. Every time Pakistan promotes these Chinese defence systems abroad, it strengthens China's broader defence industrial footprint and its strategic ambitions. The think tank concludes that China is trying to expand its presence in the West Asian defence market through Pakistan, and that Pakistan's promotion of Chinese weapons is helping advance Beijing's wider defence industrial and strategic goals.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Global relevance: The spread of Chinese made weapons through Pakistan into West Asian and African countries could fuel regional conflicts and an arms race, adding uncertainty around oil supplies and security in those regions.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who published this report?\nThe report comes from the US based think tank Middle East Forum.\n\n2. How much is the Pakistan-Libya deal worth and what does it cover?\nThe deal is worth more than 4 billion dollars and covers 16 JF-17 fighter jets, training aircraft and other military equipment.\n\n3. What share of Pakistan's arms imports comes from China?\nAccording to SIPRI data, more than 80 percent of Pakistan's arms imports between 2021 and 2024 came from China.\n\n4. What risks does the report flag from this deal?\nIt warns the deal could weaken the UN arms embargo on Libya, shift the military balance in its internal conflict, and raise regional tension.\n\n5. Which countries is Pakistan holding defence talks with?\nThe report names Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia.\n\n6. Does Pakistan still use American weapons?\nYes, Pakistan still operates American origin F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and periodically receives US military assistance.\n\n7. What is being discussed in the possible Saudi Arabia deal?\nPakistan could arrange financing in exchange for supplying JF-17 jets, though no such deal has been finalised yet.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/pakistan/china-ka-naya-danva-pakistan-bana-pashchima-eshiya-ke-raksha-bajara-ka-rasta-4739",
  "category": "Pakistan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-04",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan China defence deal",
    "JF-17 fighter jet",
    "Libya arms deal",
    "Middle East Forum report",
    "China Pakistan arms dependence",
    "West Asia defence market"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}