Pakistan Relies on China for Defense Amid US Arms Cut

Following the cessation of U.S. arms supplies after the Afghanistan withdrawal, Pakistan has increasingly turned to China for military hardware and economic support. China now provides the vast majority of Pakistan's military imports, offering favorable financing terms and supplying a range of equipment including fighter jets, submarines, and artillery. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major Belt and Road Initiative investment, further deepens this partnership by channeling significant Chinese funding into Pakistan and protecting Chinese interests in the region. Turkey has also emerged as a close ally, expressing solidarity with Pakistan amid ongoing tensions with India. These developments reflect China's broader geopolitical strategy to counterbalance India and secure regional influence through Pakistan. The strengthened China-Pakistan alliance is particularly notable given Pakistan's economic challenges and shifting global alliances.