People's Liberation Army Gearing-up to maintain Operational Readiness with Joint Military Exercises with Pakistan in 2017

By Shafei Moiz Hali 

There was no greater war leader, strategist and general as compared to Sun Tzu. His anecdotes, quotes and his philosophy on how to be a great leader are taught in schools and universities the world over. He once said, “He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared…Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” This is the reason why the People's Liberation Army (PLA) always maintains a state of operational readiness. Operational readiness is judged, challenged and maintained through a continuous process of honing the skills and capabilities of a military. This is why PLA and its various components the Navy and the Air Force are engaging in exercises, peace keeping missions and anti-piracy endeavors. Among exercises, joint military exercises provide the best platforms for testing strategies, tactics, skills and equipment. Joint military exercises also provide a much needed opportunity to learn from others. 

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong (R) meets with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Beijing, capital of China, March 16, 2017.[Photo: Xinhua]

China engages in various joint military exercise platforms with various countries, among these the joint exercises with Pakistan are an important feature. Recently when, PLA’s 90th anniversary celebrations were underway, it was announced that PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will conduct a joint exercise which is the 6th edition of a regular feature between the two Air Forces. The important thing to note in this feature is that, this year Pakistan will be sending its largest contingent ever to any country for an international joint military exercise. Pakistan will be sending a total of 19 aircrafts comprising of various weapon systems which will include some systems from its fleet of French Mirages and other weapon systems include Chinese made jets among which the jointly produced FC-1 Xiaolong (called JF-17 Thunder in Pakistan) will also feature. The PLAAF and PAF have held regular drills since March 2011 with the first Shaheen exercise held in Pakistan. The second training exercise took place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in western China in September 2013, the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014. The fourth edition was conducted at Yinchuan Airbase, China in September 2015. Last year the 5th edition of this exercise was held in Pakistan and was termed as a major success. Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Ali of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had said the exercise “enhanced bilateral relationship and capability of the air forces of the two friendly neighbors.” This year the 6th edition of the Joint exercise code-named “Shaheen (Eagle)-6 is also expected to feature bombers as well as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. 

Pakistan and China are famously known as “all-weather” friends, over the years the two countries have beefed up very close military ties and hold military exercises, whether they are between the two navies, air forces or ground forces. These exercises are held on a regular basis to enhance their air combat skills, naval capabilities and ground operation skills. These exercises not only help develop skills but also help foster an environment between the two militaries for better coordination when operating in a joint environment.

Defence experts across the board believe that joint exercises between China and Pakistan like the Shaheen series of joint training are “aimed to deepen the friendship, promote exchanges and broaden defence cooperation between the armed forces and Air Forces of China and Pakistan.” There is already tremendous defence cooperation between the two neighboring countries, joint productions include JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, Al-Khalid Tank a variant of the Chinese Norinco Type-90-II tank, armed drone Burraq and custom AIP-equipped submarines. These are some of the major examples of close defence cooperation between the two nations. Both countries wish to further enhance joint production projects and such exercises are bound to enhance confidence. This is why earlier this year in March when Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited China, strong importance was laid upon furthering joint defence projects between China and Pakistan among other defence cooperation. 

The relationship between the two countries is matchless and as mentioned above, the two are termed as “all-weather friends.” China and Pakistan have very strong military ties and because of these strong ties, military exercises and exchanges between the two countries hold a lot of significance. Apart from the upcoming Shaheen-6 exercise which is scheduled to begin in the near future. It was announced that later in the year the two countries will also be taking part in joint exercises involving the navies of the two countries and there will also be a 10 week long exercise involving the ground forces. 

In today’s world which is plagued with issues and conflicts, China is fast emerging as a beacon for peace. President Xi rightly said at the grand gathering in celebration of the 90th founding anniversary of the PLA at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Aug. 1, 2017, “China is an architect of world peace, a stalwart of global development, and a staunch upholder of the international order…Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you," the foundation of Confucianism, means the Chinese will never inflict on others the agony we have gone through ourselves…Confucius also said that the virtuous always find friends -- wisdom that should guide international relations as much as it does interpersonal interactions.” We can infer from President Xi’s statements that China is a peaceful nation and honors friendships like that with Pakistan, and while the Chinese are peace loving people but they will not stand idle in the face of aggression. The military exercises are a component of maintaining the operational readiness of PLA and this is why President Xi said, “Protecting peace is the duty of the people's army. To fulfill that timeless duty, China's armed forces must be a world-class military, ready to fight if it must, and ready to win. The country will never compromise on its sovereignty.” 

(Dr. Shafei Moiz Hali studied at George Mason University, Virginia, USA and specialized in the field of International Commerce and Policy. He did his PhD from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China specializing in Chinese foreign policy focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative and energy issues. Currently Dr. Hali is an Assistant Professor at the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan with the department of Government and Public Policy.)