Pakistan’s long-claimed air defence capabilities have come under sharp international criticism after a US defence expert stated that India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles effectively “blew out” Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems during Operation Sindoor. The assessment delivers a major blow to Islamabad’s military narrative and raises uncomfortable questions about its overdependence on inferior foreign hardware. According to the expert, Pakistan’s much-touted Chinese-origin air defence platforms failed to detect, track, or neutralise incoming BrahMos missiles exposing glaring technological gaps and operational weaknesses in the country’s layered defence architecture.

Myth of Military Deterrence Shattered

For years, Pakistan’s military establishment has projected its Chinese-supplied systems as a credible counter to India’s advanced missile capabilities. Operation Sindoor appears to have punctured that illusion. The US expert noted that the BrahMos missile’s speed, precision, and low-altitude flight profile overwhelmed Pakistan’s defences, rendering Chinese radar and interceptor systems ineffective. The episode has dented Pakistan’s deterrence posture and embarrassed an establishment that thrives on perceptions of strength rather than transparent assessments.

Chinese Weapons, Pakistani Vulnerability

Pakistan’s deep military dependence on China often marketed domestically as a strategic advantage now appears to be a liability. Analysts argue that Beijing’s export-grade systems, designed more for political alignment than battlefield superiority, have consistently underperformed in real-world conditions. The failure of these systems during Operation Sindoor reinforces long-standing concerns that Pakistan has prioritised quantity, optics, and diplomatic signalling over genuine combat effectiveness.

Silence and Denial from Islamabad

Predictably, Pakistan has neither confirmed nor convincingly denied the reported failures. Instead, official silence and vague statements have replaced transparency, fuelling speculation that the damage was far more extensive than admitted. Military observers say this pattern denial followed by quiet damage control has become routine whenever Pakistan’s capabilities are tested under real pressure.

Costly Overconfidence

The exposure comes at a time when Pakistan’s economy is struggling to stay afloat and defence maintenance increasingly depends on foreign assistance. Billions spent on Chinese military hardware now appear poorly justified, raising questions about procurement decisions driven more by political loyalty than operational merit. Critics argue that Pakistan’s obsession with projecting parity with India has blinded it to hard realities on the battlefield.

Strategic Consequences Beyond the Battlefield

The implications extend beyond Pakistan alone. The performance of Chinese systems against Indian missiles is being closely studied by militaries worldwide. For Beijing, the episode undermines claims about the reliability of its defence exports. For Pakistan, it reinforces its image as a state trapped between overconfidence and under-preparedness.

Reality Check for Pakistan’s Military Narrative

Operation Sindoor has done more than demonstrate India’s strike capability. It has exposed the hollowness of Pakistan’s defence claims. When tested, rhetoric collapsed faster than radar screens. 

This image is taken from Economic Times.