By Dr Ajey Lele
China’s Long March 2D carrier rocket successfully deployed three satellites on January 17, 2025. The satellites launched were Tianlu 1, PRSC-EO1, and Lantan 1. The Long March 2D (or Chang Zheng 2D) is a two-stage orbital carrier rocket used primarily for launching satellites into low Earth orbit. In service since 1992, it has earned a strong track record with a high success rate, having completed 95 launches with just one partial failure. This launch marked the 556th flight in the Long March rocket series. Notably, this was the third orbital launch by China in less than 20 days at the start of 2025.
The third satellite launched during this mission is PRSC-EO1 which belongs to Pakistan. This satellite has been developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). This is a remote-sensing satellite having a high-resolution optical payload. This satellite would assist Pakistan in environmental monitoring, agricultural reviews, land mapping and planning and in management of disasters. This satellite is a part of Pakistan’s PRSC-EOS network, which would have three satellites placed in a sun-synchronous orbit. The remaining satellites would be launched by China in the future. SUPARCO in 2022 has signed an agreement with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for undertaking launches of this remote sensing satellite constellation.
Another significant advancement in Pakistan’s aerospace sector occurred on January 20, 2025, with the landing of the first commercial test flight (PIA Flight PK-503) at the new Gwadar International Airport. This is the country’s largest airport. The airport’s opening had been delayed twice due to security concerns. Located in the province of Balochistan, which has faced instability for decades, the Gwadar airport is part of a $246-million, Chinese-backed project. According to the Pakistan Aviation Authority (PAA), this airport is expected to become one of Pakistan’s largest, serving both domestic and international flights. It will be interesting to observe the response to this new facility from both from domestic and international travellers, given the security challenges. As such various Chinese people and projects get targeted from the separatists who see Beijing as a foreign invader seeking to control the mineral-rich region of Balochistan.
It is known that China has both economic and strategic interests in parts of South Asia. They have committed over $65 billion for infrastructure, energy, and other projects in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This corridor is a subset of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) program. Development of a deep-water port near the new Gwadar airport is under progress and along with China, Oman is also a partner in this project.
One of the most prominent aspects of China-Pakistan collaboration in the aviation sector is the joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet (operational since 2007). There has been a significant amount of technology transfer to Pakistan to support them in production and maintenance of this aircraft locally. This includes advanced avionics, radar systems, and other critical components. Pakistan has also procured Z-9 multirole helicopters from China. Also, the Z-10, a modern attack helicopters is in Pakistan’s military inventory courtesy China.
Pakistan’s space program has a long history. SUPARCO was established in 1961 as a committee in Karachi and became an independent commission in 1981. However, despite its longstanding presence, Pakistan has struggled to make significant progress in the space field, which is surprising for a country that is a nuclear power with a well-established missile program. For many years, Pakistan has relied on China for support in space. Its first satellite was launched in 1990 with China’s assistance. Currently, Pakistan operates two active communication satellites and a few remote sensing satellites. Except for two satellites launched with Russia’s assistance (one in 2001 and a cube satellite in 2013), all of Pakistan’s satellites have been launched with China’s help, including significant assistance in satellite development. Additionally, Pakistan receives military-grade signals from China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.
Overall, China’s assistance to Pakistan in the aerospace sector has been multidimensional, surrounding ground infrastructure development, military aircraft production and sales, technology transfer, and support in designing, developing, and launching satellites. Over the years, China has become a key player in Pakistan’s aerospace sector. While CPEC and BRI are prominent factors shaping this partnership today, the aerospace collaboration goes beyond these initiatives. As such, countries like India should be watchful of the growing depth of this aerospace alliance.
The author is Deputy Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.
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