Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), has made a significant disclosure about the growing China-Pakistan military collaboration during Operation Sindoor—India’s four-day offensive against Pakistan in May 2025. Speaking at a recent defence conference, Lt Gen Singh revealed that China had provided Pakistan with real-time intelligence, including live tracking of Indian vector positions, effectively altering the tactical landscape of the conflict.
He stated that while Pakistan appeared as the immediate adversary, it was being actively supported by China—not only through military equipment but also through direct coordination and intelligence sharing. With approximately 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware originating from China, Singh said Beijing had turned Pakistan into a “live testing ground” for its weapons and systems, observing how they perform against Indian defences in real-time.
Singh also highlighted the involvement of Turkey, disclosing that Turkish drones and trained personnel had been deployed by Pakistan, further complicating the battlefield scenario. He cautioned that India must now prepare for future conflicts where population centres may be targeted, and emphasised the urgent need for a robust, integrated air defence system to address not just conventional threats, but also drones, cyber attacks, and hybrid warfare.
Reflecting on Operation Sindoor, Singh shared that while 21 targets were initially shortlisted, a tri-services decision led to the engagement of nine specific targets at the final moment. He praised the Indian leadership for its strategic restraint, ending the operation once the key objectives were met. According to him, modern warfare demands not just firepower but also clarity, agility, and coherent strategic messaging.
Lt Gen Singh’s remarks underscore a critical shift in the regional security paradigm, with the China-Pakistan nexus now extending beyond equipment support to active battlefield collaboration—posing complex new challenges for India’s defence strategy and preparedness.