Pakistan Faces Setback as S-400 Technology Theft Fails, Putin Snubs Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan’s efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities have hit a major setback, according to revelations by former Pakistani military officer Adil Raza. In a video statement, Raza claimed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, sent agents to Russia to steal S-400 air defense technology—but the agents were caught. This failure has intensified Islamabad’s ongoing struggles to procure advanced air defense systems from China, which has reportedly refused further support.

The disclosures follow India’s Operation Sindoor, during which the Indian Air Force reportedly destroyed more than 70% of Pakistan’s air defense network. Pakistan relies on the Chinese HQ-9B system, which failed to intercept BrahMos and SCALP missiles. After the operation, Pakistan repeatedly sought additional air defense support from China, but Beijing has withheld such technology, citing financial constraints and the reliance on Russian components within its systems.

Raza further revealed that several Pakistani officers, originally scheduled for a two-week visit to China, have remained there for over two months attempting to secure air defense deals. Their failure reportedly led to diplomatic embarrassment for Pakistan’s leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per Raza, reportedly kept Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif waiting for over 40 minutes before refusing a meeting, highlighting the tensions caused by the S-400 debacle.

Additionally, Raza accused Pakistan of misrepresenting facts regarding U.S. funding for F-16 fighter jet maintenance. He claimed that American surveillance technology embedded in these jets allows the U.S. to monitor every operational move, contradicting Pakistan’s public narrative of independent defense upgrades.

These revelations underscore Pakistan’s ongoing vulnerabilities in defense procurement, strained relations with China and Russia, and the complex geopolitics surrounding its military alliances.