Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has reaffirmed that Pakistan is not engaged in any arms race with India, and its defence modernisation strategy is founded on efficiency, self-reliance, and technological effectiveness rather than numerical competition.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg, the military spokesperson said Pakistan’s approach to national defence is guided by transparency, credible deterrence, and regional stability, adding that the country has never manipulated facts or figures regarding its defence capabilities.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif clarified that India failed to shoot down any Pakistani aircraft during the May aerial engagements, contrary to misleading claims. He emphasized that Pakistan’s air and missile defence systems performed exceptionally well, underscoring the reliability of both indigenous and allied technologies.
“The Pakistan Armed Forces’ modernisation philosophy is centred on incorporating efficient, effective systems and promoting indigenous defence technologies,” he said. “We remain open to acquiring advanced capabilities from both the East and the West while simultaneously strengthening our domestic defence industry.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s balanced procurement strategy, he noted that the armed forces maintain a diverse mix of Chinese and Western platforms — including JF-17 and J-10C fighter aircraft, Z-10ME attack helicopters, and F-16 jets — which collectively provide a robust and flexible deterrent posture.
The DG ISPR lauded the performance of Chinese-origin systems, stating that they have met and, in many cases, exceeded operational expectations. His remarks came as international observers acknowledged Pakistan’s successful employment of long-range Chinese PL-15 missiles, which altered the aerial balance during the May confrontation.
Bloomberg’s recent report highlighted that Pakistan’s demonstrated capability to engage targets from over 100 miles away prompted the U.S. Air Force and Navy to accelerate development of next-generation long-range missiles, allocating substantial new funding for the Lockheed Martin AIM-260 programme.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said Pakistan’s defence posture remains rooted in credible deterrence, operational readiness, and regional peace. “Our focus is not on competing with any state in an arms race, but on ensuring that our defences remain capable, reliable, and self-sustaining,” he added.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and responsible defence modernisation is unwavering, noting that all acquisitions are made with an eye on effectiveness, affordability, and strategic necessity rather than symbolic prestige.
This comprehensive and measured approach, he said, reflects Pakistan’s long-term vision for maintaining peace through strength and stability through preparedness.
