China and Pakistan AI military hub CENTAIC reportedly aided Pakistan Air Force operations
China and Pakistan reportedly established CENTAIC, an AI military hub created in 2020, to develop artificial intelligence capabilities for the Pakistan Air Force including machine learning, sensor fusion, and missile guidance systems. Indian opposition lawmakers raised concerns in Parliament about the system's role in military operations and China's involvement in Pakistan's defence infrastructure.
What happened
China and Pakistan have established CENTAIC, a joint artificial intelligence hub created in 2020 to develop AI capabilities for military use. CENTAIC reportedly aims to transform the Pakistan Air Force into a high-speed, networked force by integrating land, air and space-based sensors for faster decision-making and real-time battlefield intelligence.
According to reports, CENTAIC focuses on machine learning, deep learning, big data, and natural language processing for advanced air warfare. The centre is reportedly being used to analyse flight data from Chinese-origin platforms like the JF-17 fighter jet and to develop software-based tools including missile guidance and sensor fusion systems.
Reported impact
On July 29, 2025, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised concerns in Parliament about CENTAIC during his address on Operation Sindoor, questioning whether the government was aware of the integration between Chinese and Pakistani forces. Gandhi quoted a military expert as saying Pakistan was receiving live battlefield inputs from China.
Defence experts quoted in reports state that Beijing is helping transform Pakistan's Air Force into a multi-domain operations network and that CENTAIC could reduce Pakistan's reliance on foreign partners by developing crucial military software domestically.
Index analysis
The deployment of CENTAIC represents an evolution of China-Pakistan defence collaboration from traditional hardware support to artificial intelligence as a strategic military enabler. Reports suggest China has played a direct role in helping Pakistan set up its multi-domain operations capability, though this has not been officially confirmed by either government.
Governance controls
CENTAIC was reportedly established to develop AI capabilities for both civilian and military applications, but details of oversight mechanisms or international compliance measures are not documented in available reports. The secretive nature of the hub has drawn parliamentary concern in India regarding transparency around Chinese-Pakistani military coordination.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.