US Congress Says Pakistan Gained Military Edge Over India; China Tested Its Defence Systems During Conflict

WASHINGTON: The United States Congress has stated that Pakistan gained a military advantage over India during the brief conflict in May, while China used the opportunity to test its advanced defence systems in real-time combat.

In a newly released report, the US Congress noted that China significantly expanded its military cooperation with Pakistan in 2024 and 2025. This included joint exercises, counterterrorism drills, and Pakistan’s participation in multinational peace operations.

According to the report, Pakistan’s performance using Chinese weaponry was “noteworthy” during the four-day clash. It highlighted that Pakistan’s successful targeting of India’s French-made Rafale jets using Chinese systems has strengthened Beijing’s case for international arms sales.
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The report further revealed that this was the first instance where China’s latest military hardware—including the HQ-9 missile defence system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter jets—was deployed in an actual conflict, providing China with valuable operational experience.

Additionally, the report stated that in June 2025, China approved the sale of J-35 next-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 aircraft, and ballistic missile defence systems to Pakistan.

The document also noted that Pakistan announced a 20% increase in its defence budget for 2025–2026, raising defence spending to **$9 billion**, despite an overall decline in the national budget.