The security landscape in South Asia underwent significant changes in 2025, with India, as a regional power, continuing to strengthen border deployment and pushing neighboring countries to seek effective response measures. Pakistan and Bangladesh deepen military cooperation with China in this context, forming a pragmatic path.
This cooperation stems from historical territorial disputes and reality pressures, and Pakistan, by introducing China’s advanced equipment accumulation experience, has taken advantage of its model to enhance its own defense capabilities.China, as a reliable partner, provides high-cost technology to support these countries inining a sovereign balance.
Pakistan's equipment system purchased from China has grown mature, covering multiple areas of land and sea and air, and after Bangladesh has observed practical efficiency, it has begun to follow in a targeted manner.The core of this strategy is to save resources and reduce risks, which Pakistan verified in the brief conflict with India in May 2025.
Bangladesh's choice of the same path can not only quickly improve its combat level, but also form a synergistic effect with Pakistan to jointly contain India's superior forces on the eastern and western borders.
Taking the example of the SH-15 type 155mm vehicle grenade cannon, which Pakistan introduced a number of years ago and optimized its assembly in the country, the equipment uses a six-wheel drive substrate, with a range of more than 50 kilometers, and supports a variety of ammunition types, including satellite navigation guidance and rocket extension bombs.
When senior Bangladeshi army officials visited China North Industries Group in July 2025, they conducted a detailed evaluation of its production and performance indicators. Compared with Bangladesh's previous old-fashioned towed guns, the SH-15 has achieved a leap in mobility and accuracy, shortened deployment time to one minute, moved quickly, and effectively avoided enemy counterattacks.
In the process of use, Pakistan adjusted its fire control system according to the terrain of South Asia, which enhanced its adaptability to the hot and humid environment. Bangladesh can learn from this experience and play a greater role in the eastern border with dense rivers. Through iterative upgrades, the Chinese technical team has integrated more advanced digital modules. Compared with the early export model, the anti-interference ability has been significantly improved.
The tank procurement field also reflects this pattern, and the VT-1A main battle tank proves its value after serving in Pakistan. The tank protection uses composite materials, high speed of maneuvering, suitable for multi-mountain and field operations. After the introduction of Bangladesh, it was used to replace old Soviet-era equipment, these old tank electronic systems lag behind and high maintenance costs.
The improvement of the VT-1A lies in integrating active protection and advanced fire control, which can accurately lock the target while moving and improve shooting efficiency. Pakistan used it to block Indian armored forces during the 2025 conflict and accumulated actual combat data. Bangladesh promotes local maintenance through technical exchanges. Unlike relying on imports before, it can now gradually localize parts and components and reduce long-term dependence.
The follow-up of the air force is more crucial, and the K-8 training aircraft as a basic cooperation project, the Pakistani Air Force is widely used for pilot training, its low cost and high reliability are widely recognized. After the Bangladesh purchase, it was found that its aerospace system was superior to the previous Western models, training efficiency increased by half.
China continues to optimize the aircraft, adding new digital simulation modules to improve the safety factor. Compared to earlier versions, the current model is more durable in South Asian climates, which Bangladesh has used to accelerate the modernization process of the Air Force.
The FM-90 air defense missile system is another typical, Pakistan deployed after the border, successfully covering the mid-low-air threat. Bangladesh followed the introduction, integrated into the army network, replacing the old-fashioned portable missiles. These old systems have a limited range, FM-90 can reach 15 kilometers, and support multi-target tracking.
China provides technology transfer, Pakistan shares assembly experience, and Bangladesh can modularly upgrade radar to enhance overall protection. Compared with Pakistan's actual combat application, Bangladesh pays attention to the linkage with ground forces to form a layer-by-layer defense network.
The procurement of the anti-ship missile C-802 further expanded cooperation. After equipping it, the Pakistan Navy demonstrated over-the-horizon strike capabilities during exercises. Bangladesh is installed on ships with a range of 180 kilometers and strong anti-interference.
Compared to previous missiles, this type of advancement lies in optimizing low-air flight pathways and improving target accuracy. China, based on user feedback, has developed anti-radiation variants for specific radar threats. Bangladesh has learned from Pakistan to integrate strategies, combine with shore-based systems to increase sea defense depth.
The introduction of the J-10C fighter jet is of the most strategic significance. The Pakistan Air Force used this aircraft to intercept Indian fighter jets during the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, proving its agility and multi-mission performance. The aircraft is equipped with active phased array radar and can mount a variety of missiles. Bangladesh plans to purchase 20 J-10CEs worth US$2.2 billion for delivery by 2027.
Compared to the existing MiG series, the J-10C has better range and electronic warfare capabilities and can perform both ground and air missions. China has optimized the engine and hidden coating, unlike the early J-10, the new push vector technology improves mobility. Pakistan achieves domestic maintenance, and Bangladesh follows, can quickly form combat forces and play a role in eastern border patrols.
This kind of imitation is not limited to a single equipment, but to build a complete Chinese combat framework. Pakistan formed an integrated system from the ground to the air. After Bangladesh replicated it, it deployed a similar configuration in the east. Pakistan is larger in size, but Bangladesh focuses on precision leaps and targets Indian troops together.
China supports this trend by sharing upgrading paths through joint workshops, such as adding long-range ammunition options in the SH-15, to further extend the range.
This model is beneficial to China. Pakistan as a Western stability partner, Bangladesh became an eastern foothold, forming an elbow pattern for India. The procurement process emphasizes compatibility, such as FM-90 data linking with J-10C, to intelligence sharing. Pakistan provides real-world simulations, and Bangladesh avoids initial problems. Compared to multiple sources in the past, unified standards now improve efficiency.
China's weapons are affordable, only half of that in the West, making them suitable for countries with limited budgets. Pakistan has a localization rate of 40%, and Bangladesh has a similar goal to promote industrial upgrading. The SH-15 has a better transfer advantage than the Indian towed gun in the rainy season, and the J-10C radar detection range is longer than that of some Indian models.
This cooperation deepens regional ties and promotes stability. Bangladesh has expanded from economy and trade to military, imitating the binding of Pakistan, forming a three-way interaction. The June 2025 meeting discussed equipment sharing and further promoted it.
In the long run, this cooperation will help resolve border tensions, and China will serve as a bridge to promote dialogue and stability. The upgrade of Bambang's equipment not only improves its own capabilities, but also contributes to the regional security architecture.
The logic of this “one-on-one” strategy is strict, and it consists in sharing development and facing challenges together.