Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment
5-MIN READ5-MINSeong Hyeon ChoiPublished: 10:00pm, 5 May 2026Updated: 10:04pm, 5 May 2026For most military powers, proving the success of one’s technology in real combat almost always requires undertaking the grave risks of war and human casualties.
Analysts said Islamabad’s higher profile in the Iran conflict could also boost Chinese weapons systems, giving them “exposure without risks” following Pakistan’s recent deployment of fighter jets in Saudi Arabia.
On April 11, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry announced the arrival of Pakistan’s military at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the kingdom’s eastern province, as part of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed between the “two brotherly countries”.
