China Was Testing Its Weapons During India-Pakistan Conflict: Army Deputy Chief on Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, 4th July 2025: Indian Army’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance) Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh has made a significant statement regarding Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military action against Pakistan. Addressing an event organized by FICCI, he highlighted the complex challenges India faced during the operation.

“Although the conflict was happening on one front, there were effectively three adversaries,” Lt Gen Singh said. “Pakistan was directly facing us, but China was giving it every possible support. This is not surprising because, over the last five years, 81% of the weapons Pakistan has used are of Chinese origin.”

He further revealed that China was effectively using the conflict as a live laboratory to test its weapons and systems, with Türkiye also playing a supportive role for Pakistan.

Lt Gen Singh pointed out that while India and Pakistan were engaged in Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks, Pakistan was receiving live vector updates directly from China. “We need to strengthen our air defence systems to deal with such future challenges,” he stressed.

Performance of Indigenous Weapons
The Deputy Chief noted that several indigenous Indian weapons performed exceptionally well during the conflict, though some fell short. “We have to work faster on these shortcomings,” he said.

Discussing India’s preparedness for electronic warfare, he added, “We have to further strengthen our air defence systems. We don’t have the luxury of something like Israel’s Iron Dome, because our country is very large and these systems are very expensive.”

Lt Gen Singh also emphasized the need for India to stay prepared for future conflicts. Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Army on the night of May 7 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Following India’s strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistan retaliated with missiles and drone attacks. However, India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralized all incoming threats, thwarting Pakistan’s counterattacks.

Lt Gen Singh concluded, “We have to be prepared for the future and stay ready for any challenge.”