Recent U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese missile technology suppliers are seen as a potential risk to the longstanding defense ties between China and Pakistan.
The U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on the Beijing Machinery Manufacturing Industry Automation Research Institute, accusing the company of supplying equipment used to test missile engines in Pakistan. The sanctions were extended to three additional Chinese companies—Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment, Xi’an Longde Technology Development, and Universal Enterprise—along with Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment, owned by Chinese national Luo Dongmei. These entities are alleged to have transferred equipment regulated under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Washington claims the sanctioned companies provided materials for Pakistan’s Hawk 3 and Ababil ballistic missile programs. The Hawk 3 is a medium-range missile capable of reaching targets up to 2,750 kilometers, posing a strategic threat to neighboring India and parts of the Middle East. The Ababil missile, with a range of 1,800 kilometers, serves a similar tactical purpose.
Part of broader U.S. strategy
Security analysts argue the sanctions are part of a broader U.S. effort to curb China’s rising influence rather than a direct action against Pakistan. “This is more about containing China’s growth than targeting Pakistan specifically,” said Syed Muhammad Ali, a security expert based in Islamabad, in an interview with Nikkei Asia.
Ali emphasized that there is limited evidence linking China directly to Pakistan’s nuclear-capable missile programs. He noted that the majority of China-Pakistan defense cooperation centers on conventional weapons, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s air force, army, and navy, rather than its missile development capabilities.
The Pakistani government quickly condemned the sanctions as politically motivated. “It is no secret that certain countries, while professing strict adherence to non-proliferation standards, selectively overlook licensing requirements for advanced military technologies when it suits their strategic interests,” said Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.
Enduring China-Pakistan defense ties
China remains Pakistan’s largest arms supplier, accounting for 44% of Pakistan’s major arms imports between 2000 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The two nations have a deep history of defense collaboration, including the joint development of the JF-17 fighter jet and the Al-Khalid main battle tank. Recent procurements include J-10C aircraft, Wing Loong II drones, and Hangor-class submarines.
While the sanctions may not immediately impact Pakistan’s missile programs, experts warn of long-term consequences for defense cooperation. “Pakistan has no other significant partner for missile development if China continues to face U.S. sanctions,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute.
Future challenges
The sanctions could complicate future defense transactions between China and Pakistan, as the dominance of the U.S. dollar may compel Chinese companies to comply with U.S. restrictions. Ayesha Siddiqa, a senior research fellow at King’s College London, pointed out that such financial dominance could make Chinese firms more cautious in future dealings with Pakistan.
Experts also warn that continued U.S. sanctions could strain Pakistan’s role in the broader U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry. “If China becomes less accessible due to these sanctions, Pakistan may be forced to look elsewhere for defense partners, a process that could take years,” Kugelman added. Pakistan’s past involvement in nuclear proliferation may further complicate its search for alternative suppliers.
Siddiqa noted that the sanctions are likely aimed at reassuring U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing Washington’s commitment to countering the perceived threat of missile proliferation in the area.
