China–Pakistan Conventional Arms Trade: An Appraisal of Supplier's and Recipient's Motives

Abstract

This paper posits that the conventional arms trade between China and Pakistan is the most durable aspect of their relationship since the mid‐1960s. It carries out a succinct review of the relations to identify changes in key areas compared to continuity in the arms trade. The paper then looks into China's key motives as a supplier and Pakistan's as a recipient while focusing on political, economic, and technological factors; conversely, it excluded geopolitical reasons. This paper found that a mutuality of interests supports this arms trade. In return for its arms exports to Pakistan, China gained access to Western defense technology, earned revenue, and gained entry into the Islamic world. In addition, Pakistan proved itself as a marketer and testing ground of Chinese weapons. Islamabad initially approached Beijing to make up for the disruption caused by abrupt US sanctions but soon found China the trustiest supplier that also transferred technology, granted licenses for local production, trained engineers, and assisted in building defense industries to gain autarky. Both countries have become irreplaceable allies. The trajectory, marked by joint productions, joint military exercises, and advancement in China's weapon systems, coupled with congruence on regional security issues, indicates further strengthening of this arms trade.