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Pakistan's Space Ambitions Risk Overdependence on China, Report Warns

A report from The Diplomat warns that Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO is becoming dangerously dependent on China. Despite launching five satellites in 16 months, the report notes that Pakistan relies on proven Chinese designs rather than pursuing independent research. Pakistan's planned 2028 lunar rover mission will also depend on Chinese technological assistance. The report contrasts this with India's ISRO, which has over 50 operating satellites and achieved a Lunar South Pole landing.

Key Points: Pakistan's Space Program Overly Dependent on China: Report

  • Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO is increasingly dependent on Chinese technology
  • It has launched five indigenous satellites in 16 months with Chinese help
  • The planned 2028 lunar rover mission will rely on Chinese assistance
  • The report says this dependence hinders Pakistan's deeper technological advancement
2 min read

Pakistan's space efforts suffer from unhealthy dependence on China: Report

A new report warns Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO is increasingly relying on Chinese tech, risking its long-term technological advancement.

"Pakistan needs to change its trajectory, it will never advance to deeper technological achievements - The Diplomat"

New Delhi, May 9

Pakistan's national space agency -- Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission -- is becoming increasingly dependent on China due to its close collaboration with the country and continued reliance on proven Chinese designs instead of pursuing independent research, a report has said.

The report from The Diplomat said that Pakistan has quietly accelerated its space programme because of Chinese help, even as the country grapples with soaring inflation, energy shortages and insurgencies.

The country has launched five indigenous satellites in the past 16 months and is preparing to send its first astronaut to China's Tiangong space station.

"However, recent developments also display the structural embedding of Pakistan's space ambitions into China's own program... Pakistan needs to change its trajectory, it will never advance to deeper technological achievements," the report said.

The Pakistani astronaut candidates are being trained by China for a mission to a Chinese space station and all its recent satellite launches have been from a Chinese facility.

"The most ambitious and technologically challenging space mission for SUPARCO - the lunar rover program, which is planned for landing in 2028 - will rely on Chinese technological and technical assistance," it said.

The report called the recent developments surprising, as Pakistan is rarely associated with technological ambition.

Moreover, SUPARCO remained largely underfunded and stagnant for over two decades, constantly overshadowed by its neighbours, especially the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Pakistan's space programs are designed as a solution for disaster monitoring and response, urban and rural planning, agricultural monitoring, and glacier tracking, the report said. The country is currently under-equipped to manage its climate vulnerabilities, as seen from the catastrophic floods of 2022 that left one-third of Pakistan submerged.

Further, the programs also have a security dimension, as a response to India's space program, though SUPARCO is still nowhere near ISRO yet, the report said.

"India's space program has over 50 operating satellites. Its achievements include a Lunar South Pole landing in 2023, anti-satellite missile tests, and a fifth lunar mission on the books with Japan," it added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
It's unfortunate but not surprising. Pakistan's economic challenges make it difficult to invest in independent R&D. The real issue is that they're outsourcing their space dreams instead of building capabilities from the ground up like India did. That said, I hope their lunar mission succeeds - space exploration should unite us, not divide us.
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Priya S
The article says Pakistan's space program was 'overshadowed' by ISRO for decades - that's putting it mildly! 😂 ISRO has 50+ satellites, successful Mars mission, lunar south pole landing, and now human spaceflight plans. Meanwhile, Pakistan is like 'China ji, please train our astronauts and launch our satellites.' Bhai, thoda toh independent socho!
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Michael C
Reading this from a strategic standpoint, this dependency is a huge security risk for Pakistan. China controls their launch capabilities, astronaut training, and even the lunar rover tech. Imagine if China decides to pull the plug? Their entire space program would collapse. India's diversified partnerships (US, Russia, France, Japan) make ISRO far more resilient. Space race 2.0 is real.
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Vikram M
I appreciate the report's honesty, but let's not be too harsh on Pakistan. They're using their limited resources to address real problems like disaster management and agriculture monitoring. The 2022 floods showed how vulnerable they are. India was once in a similar position decades ago. The difference is our political will and consistent funding for ISRO. Hopefully Pakistan learns from this.

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