"However, The meeting is welcome for Pakistan, of course, he said, as it maintains and enhances the cordial relations that exist between the countries, and no doubt there were discussions on provision of equipment and systems that neither side is going to divulge.
Pakistan, though, has some clear requirements, but is hampered in being unable to acquire them due to lack of finances.
The main items that Pakistan is interested in are combat ships and warplanes, notably the fifth-generation Chinese fighter, the J-20, but we are talking serious money, here, and at the moment Pakistan cannot afford to enter into a major commitment, and will have to keep the [US-supplied] F-16s flying for a long time yet, Cloughley said.
Nevertheless, Cloughley believes there are aspects of materiel cooperation mainly in ammunition and electronics that will continue to prosper.
For Pakistan therefore, Cloughley thinks the talks, and wider Sino-Pakistani relationship, are of critical importance.
The defense link is a most important one for Pakistan, and it can be expected that Islamabad will work hard to keep it smooth and worthwhile for both parties, he said.
China and Pakistan Begin Biannual Air Exercise Shaheen 2 | Defense News | defensenews.com