How Chinese Weapons Failed Pakistan in Lahore: The Illusion of Defense

On the nights of 7th and 8th May 2025, Pakistan’s illusion of invincibility came crashing down — quite literally. In a bold and precision-driven maneuver, Indian defense forces reportedly destroyed Lahore’s air defense infrastructure, breaching Pakistan’s most sensitive airspace using a combination of missile strikes and drone incursions. What stood exposed was not merely an air defense failure, but the brittle overdependence of the Pakistani military on low-grade, Chinese-origin defense systems like the HQ-16 (LY-80) and FM-90.

A System Designed to Fail?

HQ-16 (LY-80): The Paper Tiger

The HQ-16, known in Pakistani service as the LY-80, was touted as a game-changer. Developed jointly by China’s China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), this medium-range surface-to-air missile system was meant to provide robust area defense against aircraft, drones, and missiles. It had a supposed interception range of 40 km and could track targets up to 85 km.

But all that glitters is not gold — and certainly not in Chinese export models.

Despite its theoretical capabilities, the LY-80 utterly failed to detect or intercept Indian munitions and drones during the recent operation. This raises several questions:

• Were the radar systems compromised?
• Was the reaction time too slow?
• Or worse — was the system never combat-ready in the first place?

The answer lies somewhere in a toxic mix of all three.

FM-90: A Short-Range Joke?

The FM-90, a short-range point-defense system derived from the older HQ-7 (which itself mimics the French Crotale), is another example of low-cost Chinese reverse engineering. Marketed as a countermeasure against low-flying threats like cruise missiles, UAVs, and helicopters, the FM-90 is designed for quick reaction and close-in protection.

But as Indian drones hovered deep inside Pakistani airspace with unhindered access, the FM-90 sat idle — a relic of false confidence. If this system cannot even respond to slow-flying or loitering drones, what good is it in a real war scenario?

Indian Brilliance or Pakistani Complacency?

India’s defense modernization has included indigenous solutions like the Akash missile system, Swarm drones, S-400, and the DRDO-backed Rudram air-to-surface missiles. By integrating AI-driven surveillance, stealth drone tech, and high-precision standoff weapons, India has embraced a doctrine of overwhelming technological edge.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has leaned heavily on Chinese hand-me-downs, often systems that China itself has either retired or does not deploy near sensitive theaters like Taiwan.

This over-reliance on Chinese defense exports, often mocked as “Alibaba-grade weaponry,” has exposed fatal vulnerabilities. Chinese weapons are notorious for poor quality control, unverified battlefield success, and a glaring lack of upgrade cycles.

Strategic Fallout: Lahore Left Defenseless

The implications of India’s strike are enormous:

• Lahore’s Air Defense Command was rendered blind — a military embarrassment for Pakistan.
• Multiple Indian drones and munitions reached deep into Pakistan, some reportedly reaching near military cantonments.
• Pakistan’s failure to respond credibly led to domestic political turmoil and international diplomatic silence — even its traditional allies like China and Turkey have remained quiet.

This should serve as a wake-up call for any nation considering cheap Chinese defense systems over proven, modular, and customizable alternatives offered by the West or self-developed systems.

Lessons for India — and the World

India’s victory in this instance was not just one of firepower but of doctrinal superiority, technological investment, and strategic patience. It also sends a global message:

Cheap doesn’t equal effective. Chinese-origin weapon systems may be cost-friendly, but in a real battle, they may cost you everything.

In the age of fifth-generation warfare, air defense is not about just buying radars and missiles — it’s about integration, reliability, and innovation. As Pakistan reels from this humiliating blow, one wonders if their generals still believe in the fantasy that China will save them.

Because on the night of May 7–8, no Chinese missile rose to defend Lahore and whole Pakistan— and that silence said everything.