The PAF display featured the Russia-copy and Chinese reverse-engineered HQ-17 AE short-range surface-to-air missile system, a Turkish counter-unmanned aerial vehicle system and a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Alongside Chinese J-10 and JF-17 fighter aircraft, the PAF also showcased Turkish and Chinese armed drones and unmanned combat aerial systems (UCAVs), including Akinci and Wing Loong II.
The Wing Loong II drone was apparently put to use by Rawalpindi to target Baloch insurgents in Balochistan.
The Pakistani display has been noted by the Indian security establishment, which is, however, flummoxed over where Rawalpindi is obtaining the funds to purchase military equipment from Turkey and China. With Pakistan’s economy in a poor state and growing at 3.8 per cent, questions are being raised over who is funding the country’s acquisition spree.
The funding could perhaps be coming from Mecca partner Saudi Arabia, the new-found friend US, or through an equity swap with China on a major infrastructure project in Pakistan.
After Pakistan was taught a humiliating lesson by India during Op Sindoor in May 2025, Rawalpindi has been acquiring stand-off weapons, UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), missiles and air defence systems from the international arms market to the tune of billions of dollars.
Pakistan is also building up its fledgling Navy with eight Yuan-class Chinese diesel attack submarines and Chinese-guided missile frigates in a bid to counter the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea.
With Pakistan being part of the Mecca alliance, it will have increased access to US defence technologies via Saudi Arabia, while Turkey remains another source of military equipment.
Taking note of Pakistan’s acquisition posture and its penchant for purchasing off-the-shelf equipment from China and Turkey, India is rapidly plugging the gap in armed UCAVs and long-range loitering ammunition, as the Modi government focuses on indigenous development and manufacturing.
The Indian armed forces are pushing the Indian private sector to deliver long-range loitering munitions with ranges of up to 1000 km and beyond. India’s acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US will take time, with the UCAVs expected to start delivery only from 2028.
Rather than wait for long-range high-medium altitude drones, India is looking to develop beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles with a range of over 250 km, such as the Russian RVV-BD missile.
This week, the defence ministry cleared the integration of two Russian RVV-BD missiles for integration into the Su-30 MKII fighter. If the integration is successful, India may buy a limited number of the Russian missiles while concentrating on the development of the Astra Mark III missile with a similar range.
India will also soon be testing the long-range version of anti-ballistic missile interceptors to ensure that Pakistan missiles will be neutralised in the air in the worst-case scenario.
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