China, one of the world’s largest arms exporters, is facing growing scrutiny after a string of battlefield episodes raised doubts about the reliability of its defence systems. From the reported failures of Chinese-supplied equipment during India’s Operation Sindoor to the swift US operation in Venezuela, Beijing’s military technology has repeatedly come under criticism, unsettling potential buyers.
A Taiwanese official, quoted by Newsweek, said the US operation in Caracas — which reportedly led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife — dealt a serious reputational blow to China. The episode, the official said, highlighted Washington’s continued technological edge over military hardware supplied by Beijing.
Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s air defence
During Operation Sindoor in May last year, Indian forces reportedly struck key military and terror-linked targets in Pakistan. Several assessments claimed that Chinese-supplied air defence systems, including the HQ-9, failed to intercept incoming strikes, including BrahMos missile attacks.
Pakistan, which sources nearly 82% of its defence imports from China, was seen as a key showcase market for Beijing’s military exports. The operation, however, exposed what critics described as serious vulnerabilities in Chinese-made systems when tested against Indian and Western-origin platforms.
Reports suggested that HQ-9 and HQ-16/LY-80 air defence units struggled to perform even around sensitive installations. The PL-15 beyond-visual-range missile, marketed as a competitor to advanced Western systems, reportedly malfunctioned or failed to hit targets, with Indian officials later displaying fragments of a recovered missile. Chinese-origin fighter aircraft such as the J-10C and JF-17 Block III were also said to have had limited impact on Indian air operations, despite unverified claims to the contrary.
Venezuela operation raises further questions
In Venezuela, US EA-18G Growler aircraft reportedly played a key role by deploying advanced electronic warfare capabilities to jam and disrupt radar and communication networks. The Growler, designed specifically for controlling the electromagnetic battlefield, is believed to have helped neutralise Chinese-supplied systems, allowing US aircraft to operate with minimal resistance.
Particular attention has focused on the Chinese-made JY-27A radar, promoted by Beijing as capable of detecting stealth aircraft such as the F-35. According to reports cited by the Washington Times, the system failed to detect or respond effectively during the operation. Described as slow and flawed, the radar’s performance has reportedly caused embarrassment for Beijing, as it is central to China’s broader air-defence ambitions against platforms like the F-35, F-22, B-2 and B-21.
Venezuela had also invested about $2 billion in Russian S-300 air defence systems, along with Pantsir-S1 units, integrated with Chinese radar and communications networks. Yet none of these systems reportedly engaged incoming aircraft. “None of them fired. Not one,” military analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera was quoted as saying.
The entire US operation reportedly lasted less than three hours, involving elite units such as Delta Force, which extracted Maduro and his wife from their compound and transferred them out of the country.
Differing views in Beijing
Some Chinese analysts, quoted by the South China Morning Post, have argued that the US operation targeted a far weaker opponent and does not necessarily reflect how Chinese systems would perform against major powers. However, the incidents have nevertheless added to international scepticism.
Impact on China’s arms credibility
Taken together, these episodes have reinforced longstanding concerns about the real-world effectiveness of Chinese military exports. For many observers and potential buyers, performance in live conflict carries more weight than promotional claims.
The setbacks are seen as damaging China’s credibility as an arms supplier and could open opportunities for competitors — including India — to highlight the proven performance of their systems under actual combat conditions.
