China and Pakistan launch first joint army training exercise

China and Pakistan have launched “Karakoram 2026”, their first-ever joint army training exercise. The opening ceremony took place on October 14, 2026, at a military training base in Korla, located in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The exercise focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations specifically designed for high-altitude environments. Training modules include unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, on-the-move target searching and firing, long-range sniping, and joint command exercises involving live forces.

During the commencement of the drills, Pakistani troops observed various Chinese military assets, including Type 191 rifles, Type 201 squad machine guns, Type 11 armoured assault vehicles, and Type 08 infantry fighting vehicles, alongside artillery and anti-unmanned systems. The initiative aims to deepen military cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two nations in response to terrorist threats.