Has defective Chinese weaponry been imported into Serbia? PART II

Serbian officials announced in March this year that Serbia had purchased CM-400 supersonic
ballistic missiles with a range of up to 400 kilometers. The announcement sparked concern
across the region and in Europe. However, this is not the first weapon system that the Serbian
Armed Forces have acquired from Chinese manufacturers.
The Serbian military is already operating a range of Chinese-made weapons, from combat
drones to the FK-3 surface-to-air missile system.
The CH-92A drones were unveiled in 2020, marking the first procurement of Chinese military
equipment to enter operational service with the Serbian Armed Forces.
At the time, Serbia became the first European country to import Chinese military aviation
equipment.
This was followed by the acquisition of CH-95 combat drones, as well as the FK-3 and HQ-17 air
defense systems.
But how reliable are the Chinese weapons that Serbia continues to procure?
In April this year, IJ-Reportica.com published an analysis of the experiences of other countries
that had imported Chinese weapons under the striking headline: "Defective Chinese Weapons."
Illustrative Examples of Reported Systemic Issues
To further contextualize these patterns, the following country-wise profiles present
documented experiences from selected recipient states. These cases collectively illustrate how
operational challenges have manifested across diverse military environments, ranging from
South Asia to the Middle East and Africa. Together, they provide a structured examination of
reported reliability concerns, maintenance constraints, and lifecycle sustainment gaps within
Chinese-origin defence systems deployed globally, offering a clearer understanding of how
these systemic issues translate into real-world operational impact.
Illustrative Examples of Reported Systemic Issues
Across multiple recipient states, recurring reliability issues were observed in systems such as
Pakistan’s JF-17 and F-7 fighter aircraft, Bangladesh’s F-7BGI fleet and MBT-2000 tanks, and
Pakistan Navy’s F-22P frigates, where early technical faults and system malfunctions reduced
operational performance.
Maintenance-heavy platforms such as Pakistan’s F-7 fleet and CH-4 drones deployed in Iraq and
Algeria frequently required repeated servicing and suffered from low availability rates.
Spare parts and after-sales support gaps were reported in Bangladesh’s armored and naval
systems, including MBT-2000 tanks and corvettes, leading to extended downtime.
Limited combat effectiveness was highlighted in systems such as Iran’s HQ-9B air defence
network during the 2026 conflict and CH-4 drones operating in contested environments.

Sensor and radar vulnerabilities were evident in Pakistan’s FM-90 SAM system and
Bangladesh’s naval radar suites, while integration constraints were observed in Pakistan’s J-10C
and Bangladesh’s mixed-origin air defence architecture.
Lifecycle sustainability challenges were reflected in Myanmar’s JF-17 fleet and UAV operators
such as Nigeria and Iraq, where long-term operational reliability and supportability remained
persistent concerns.
To further contextualize these patterns, the following country-wise profiles present
documented experiences from selected recipient states. These cases collectively illustrate how
operational challenges have manifested across diverse military environments, ranging from
South Asia to the Middle East and Africa. Together, they provide a structured examination of
reported reliability concerns, maintenance constraints, and lifecycle sustainment gaps within
Chinese-origin defence systems deployed globally, offering a clearer understanding of how
these systemic issues translate into real-world operational impact.
Pakistan
Pakistan, a long-standing ally of China since 1951, has heavily relied on Chinese arms to bolster
its military capabilities, especially following U.S. embargoes post the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
While this partnership has enabled joint projects like the JF-17 fighter jet and Al-Khalid tank, the
quality of Chinese equipment has often come under scrutiny, with numerous reports of defects,
operational failures, and combat vulnerabilities leading to significant setbacks for the Pakistani
armed forces.

Weapon Name Weapon Type Year Ordered Total Number
J-10C Fighter Aircraft 2021 36
FN-6 Missile Portable SAM 2020, 2017, 2015, 2009 1,997
HQ-9 SAM SAM System 2019 1
HQ-9 SAM – Missile 2019 70
CH-4A MALE Drone 2019 10
PLC-181 155 mm SPG 2018 236
Wing Loong 2 Armed UAV 2018 48
Wing Loong 1 Armed UAV 2015 5
JF-17 Fighter Aircraft 2018, 2017, 2012, 2011, 1999 188
YLC-18A Gap Filler Air Search Radar 2018 5

JY-27A Air Search Radar 2018 1
LY-80 (HQ-16) SAM – Missile 2017, 2014 500
LY-80 SAM System (HQ-16) SAM System 2014 3
IBIS 150 Air Search Radar 2014 8
FM-90 SAMS SAM System 2013 10
FM-90 SAM Missile 2013 400
CH-3 Armed UAV 2011 50
HQ-7 (Crotale) SAM Missiles 2005 100
YLC-2A Radar L-band Air Search Radar 2003 1
YLC-6 Radar Air Search Radar 2003 10

JF-17 Thunder Jets
Jointly developed with China, the JF-17 has been a cornerstone of PAF’s fleet, with over 100
units in service by 2025. Here is a detailed overview of the issues:
Engine Reliability Problems
The Klimov RD-93 engine, sourced from Russia, has been a major concern for PAF.
Reports indicate frequent engine-related malfunctions and mid-air failures, leading to multiple
crashes.
Example: On June 5, 2024, a JF-17 Block 2 crashed near Jhang due to engine failure.
Engine overhauls are complicated by limited access to Russian parts, especially post-Ukraine
war sanctions.
Avionics and Systems Glitches
The JF-17’s avionics suite (including radar and weapon integration) has suffered from reliability
issues.
Pilots have reportedly complained about intermittent radar performance and electronic system
failures, especially under extreme conditions.
High Maintenance Burden
Compared to Western counterparts, the JF-17 requires frequent maintenance cycles, reducing
aircraft availability rates.
Lack of indigenous engine production capability has made Pakistan reliant on external support.

Crash Record in Pakistan At least 6 known crashes of JF-17s in Pakistan have been reported due
to technical malfunctions, primarily engine and system failures.

Crash Date Type Operator Location
14 Nov 2011 PAC JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Air Force Attock District, Punjab, Pakistan
27 Sept 2016 PAC JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Air Force Arabian Sea
15 Sept 2020 PAC JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Air Force Pindigheb, Attock District
6 Aug 2021 PAC JF-17B Pakistan Air Force Near Attock
13 Dec 2021 PAC JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Air Force Attock District
5 Jun 2024 PAC JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Air Force Jhang District

Export Woes: Grounded Fleets and Reputational Injury
The first alarm bell for the JF-17’s export ambitions sounded in Myanmar, and it did so publicly,
not quietly. The Irrawaddy’s headline “Technical Problems Ground Myanmar’s JF-17 Fighter Jets
Bought From China” captured the scale of the crisis: an entire fleet rendered non-operational
within years of induction due to structural cracking, avionics instability, and stubborn engine
defects. Instead of routine upgrade cycles, Myanmar found itself in emergency troubleshooting
mode.
Reported Technical Issues Grounding Myanmar’s JF-17 Fleet, as Covered by Leading Myanmar
Media Outlet
Matters worsened when Defence Mirror published the blunt assessment “Pakistani Engineers in
Myanmar to Fix ‘Junk’ JF-17 Jets”, reporting that teams dispatched from Pakistan were
attempting not standard maintenance, but fundamental remediation, incompatible with how a
frontline fighter should function. Such coverage not only documented technical failings; it
signalled to the global market that the aircraft required caretaker support unavailable to most
small air forces.
Matters worsened when Defence Mirror published the blunt assessment “Pakistani Engineers in
Myanmar to Fix ‘Junk’ JF-17 Jets”
Nigeria’s experience reinforced the reputational slide. Defence reporting chronicled radar
outages, unreliable weapons integration, and inconsistent operational readiness, ultimately
influencing Abuja’s pivot toward platforms such as the M-346FA, whose Western avionics
architecture and proven support chain offered confidence the JF-17 could not. The message
was unmistakable: even politically aligned or cash-constrained air forces were weighing
sustainability above sticker price.
In defence procurement, reputation is currency. Once multiple operators publicly demonstrate
reluctance and newsrooms begin describing a fighter as grounded, unreliable, or in need of
rescue teams, affordability ceases to be a competitive advantage. The JF-17’s export headwinds

therefore stem not from geopolitics, but from the cold arithmetic of risk: buyers cannot afford a
fighter that cannot afford to fly.
F-7 Fighters
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has operated Chinese-made F-7P and F-7PG fighter aircraft since
the 1980s and early 2000s, using them in roles ranging from training to air defence. These jets
are export variants of China’s Chengdu J-7 series, itself born from Beijing’s 1960s effort to
reverse-engineer the Soviet MiG-21 after incomplete technical transfers left Chinese engineers
to reproduce missing components and systems for local production. While the J-7/F-7 became
the backbone of several developing air forces due to its affordability, its aging design and
service-life challenges have produced persistent maintenance, reliability, and operational
limitations in PAF service.
Maintenance and Reliability Challenges
High Maintenance Demands: The F-7P’s WP7B engine requires overhauls every 200 flight hours,
necessitating shipment to Karachi for servicing. Additionally, the airframe mandates a complete
rebuild after 800 flight hours, a process taking approximately 30 weeks and involving extensive
disassembly and component replacement.
Infrastructure Adaptations: To support the F-7 fleet, Pakistan established overhauling facilities
domestically. However, initial challenges included adapting existing test beds designed for older
aircraft, leading to the need for locally designed solutions to accommodate the F-7’s
requirements.
F7 crash reported by Pakistani Media due to Technical Fault
Crash Record in Pakistan:
Over the years, the PAF has experienced multiple incidents involving F-7 variants. Following is
the list (non-exhaustive) of the same:

Crash Date Type Operator Location
25 May
2017 F-7PG Pakistan Air

Force Near Mianwali, Punjab

25 Jan 2012 FT-7P Pakistan Air

Force Near Mianwali, Punjab

8 Feb 2012 F-7PG Pakistan Air

Force Near Pishin, Balochistan

24 Nov
2015 FT-7PG Pakistan Air
Force

Near Kundian / PAF M.M. Alam Base,
Punjab

7 Jan 2020 FT-7 (often reported as FT-

7PG)

Pakistan Air
Force

Near Chah Miana, Mianwali District,
Punjab

5 Sept 2007 F-7PG Pakistan Air

Force Southwestern Balochistan

20 Jul 2000 F-7P Pakistan Air

Force Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

J-10 Fighters
The Chengdu J-10, nicknamed Vigorous Dragon, is a Chinese single-engine, multirole fighter
designed with a delta wing and canard layout. Built by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the PLA
Air Force, it is capable of speeds up to roughly Mach 1.8 and serves as China’s primary modern
lightweight fighter. The aircraft is also exported to Pakistan, where it forms a key component of
the PAF’s frontline fleet. Pakistan acquired J-10CE fighters in 2022, with around 20 in service
and 36 more ordered. The Pentagon’s 2025 China Military Power Report confirms the delivery
of 36 Chinese J-10C fighters to Pakistan-marking a major post-India-Pakistan 2025 clashes shift
in South Asia’s air power balance as Beijing strengthens Islamabad’s capabilities with advanced
platforms and PL-15 missiles.
Mechanical and Engine Failures: Our investigation revealed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)
sidelined J-10C and JF-17 Thunder jets during a counterinsurgency operation due to mechanical
and engine issues.
Ejection Seat Concerns: In July 2024, PAF faced challenges fitting British Martin-Baker ejection
seats on J-10C jets due to U.S. restrictions on China, forcing reliance on Chinese-made ejection
seats, which were described as “unreliable” by aviation experts.
F-22P (Zulfiqar-class) Frigates
Pakistan Navy acquired four F-22P frigates between 2009 and 2013, tailored for multi-mission
roles. However, soon after commissioning, major equipment, weapons, and sensors were found
to be either non-functional or operating at reduced capacity, severely hampering their
operational readiness. There are no specific reports of these frigates being shot down or direct
combat losses, but their defective systems likely compromised their effectiveness in potential
engagements.
Defective Missile Systems:
The FM90 (N) missile system’s imaging device suffers from an incorrect display, preventing
accurate target locking for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air engagements. This renders the
frigates ineffective in their intended air defence and interdiction roles. It compromises
Pakistan’s ability to protect naval forces or engage hostile combatants, a critical deficiency for
multi-mission operations.
Malfunctioning Sensors:
The IR17 infra-red sensor system and SR60 radars (plagued by electromagnetic
compatibility/interference (EMC/EMI) issues), essential for air and surface surveillance, exhibit

performance glitches, particularly during high-power transmissions. It limits the frigates’ ability
to detect and track threats, undermining convoy protection and patrol missions.
Engine Failures:
All four frigates experience low engine speeds due to high exhaust temperatures, affecting
diesel engines 3 and 4 across the fleet. This leads to crankshaft and liner degradation, lube oil
issues, and vibration isolator deterioration.
It reduces operational speed and reliability, increasing the infrared signature and making the
ships more detectable, with potential for engine overhauls needed sooner than expected.
Sonar System Defects:
The ASO-94 Sonar system on PNS Aslat (PNS Aslat (FFG-254) is a F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided
missile frigate currently in active service with the Pakistan Navy since her commission in 2013)
has faulty computing units, impairing underwater detection capabilities. The ASO-94 sonar
system on PNS Zulfiquar reportedly produces false underwater targets due to excessive self-
noise, degrading tracking accuracy and increasing vulnerability to hostile submarine detection
and attack.
It hampers anti-submarine warfare and heliborne operations, critical for the frigates’ multi-
mission profile.
Radar Performance Issues:
The SR-47 BG Search Radar on PNS Aslat underperforms and has been repaired using
cannibalized parts from other F-22P ships, indicating a lack of spare parts and ongoing reliability
problems.
It disrupts consistent surveillance and tracking, leading to operational downtime and mission
disruptions.
Gun System Malfunctions:
The AK-176M 76 mm main gun on PNS Zulfiquar has experienced repeated mechanical and
electrical failures, including stabilizer and control-unit malfunctions, degrading accuracy and
firing reliability.
These failures compromise both offensive firepower and last-ditch air-defence capability, with
Pakistan Navy reports to the Chinese manufacturer yet to receive a substantive response.
Structural and Operational Downtime:
The HP5 stabiliser gyro on PNS Saif (FFG-253), (a frontline Zulfiquar-class frigate commissioned
in 2010), has been faulty since induction due to defective gimbal assembly motors, causing
excessive roll and affecting safe berthing and maneuvering.
The unresolved stabilizer defect has forced the Pakistan Navy to restrict the vessel’s
deployment and incur repeated operational downtime, with no confirmed repair or
replacement from the Chinese manufacturer to date.
Disrupts mission schedules and reduces the fleet’s availability for essential roles like Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) protection.
Lack of Maintenance Support:

The Pakistan Navy has sought compensation and repairs from Chinese manufacturers (Hudong-
Zhonghua Shipbuilding and China Shipbuilding Trading Company) due to lost operational time,
but resolution remains pending.
CH-4B UAVs
The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps received its first batch of five CH-4B drones in early 2021,
with more ordered for reconnaissance and strike roles. We found that the fleet was in disarray,
with Chinese company ALIT unable to maintain them, citing incidents of cracks and broken
parts.
Mechanical and Structural Defects: Inspections by the Pakistan Army revealed multiple
mechanical issues in the CH-4B drones manufactured by ALIT a China based firm:
A broken exhaust manifold in one unit.
A cracked turbocharger in another.
Problems within the muffler spot connected to the engine mount.
Avionics and Navigation Failures: Pakistan Army’s CH-4B drones have suffered from critical
failures, including GPS malfunctions, non-functional electro-optical/infrared cameras due to
nitrogen leaks, and faulty synthetic aperture radars.
Operational Limitations: The CH-4B’s performance has been questioned due to:
Limited payload capacity.
Shorter endurance compared to other MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAVs.
Susceptibility to electronic warfare and jamming.
These limitations have affected the drones’ effectiveness in surveillance and combat missions.
Impact on Pakistan’s UAV Strategy: Due to the aforementioned issues, the Pakistan Army has
considered diversifying its UAV inventory:
Exploring options from Western manufacturers, such as Austria-based Schiebel’s S-100 UAV.
Evaluating the integration of Turkish UAVs, like the Bayraktar TB2, into their fleet.
These steps aim to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of Pakistan’s unmanned aerial
capabilities. In conclusion, while the CH-4B UAVs have provided Pakistan with advanced
surveillance and combat capabilities, their operational challenges have prompted a
reassessment of their role within the country’s defence strategy.