Key takeaways: China and Pakistan will hold the “Karakoram 2026” joint army training in Korla, Xinjiang, later this month — described as the first joint army training between the two countries — focused on high-altitude counter-terrorism operations with drones, sniping and joint command drills.
China and Pakistan will hold a joint army training exercise in Korla, in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in mid-to-late October, Chinese defense spokesman Chen Xi announced on Saturday. The exercise, code-named “Karakoram 2026”, will focus on joint counter-terrorism operations in high-altitude areas.
Chen, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said the training would include drone (UAV) operations, target search and firing while on the move, and long-range sniping, alongside joint command exercises and live-force drills. He said it would be the first joint army training between the two countries and would deepen military exchanges while strengthening their ability to jointly respond to terrorist threats.
What’s new this time
The two countries’ air forces and navies already drill together under established series — the Shaheen air exercises and the Sea Guardians naval drills — and their ground forces have trained under the Warrior exercise series. The Karakoram 2026 announcement marks the first army-level training under its own banner, with the stated emphasis on counter-terrorism at altitude.
That emphasis lands in a specific context. Both militaries have pointed to shared security threats, including attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure in Pakistan linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan have deteriorated, with Islamabad and Kabul trading accusations over militant safe havens and cross-border strikes in recent weeks.
Why it matters
For Pakistan, the exercise is another step in its deepening defense partnership with China, its largest supplier of military hardware. For Beijing, joint counter-terrorism training in Xinjiang signals a willingness to operate together against militant threats in high, difficult terrain — terrain both countries watch closely.
What’s next
The training is expected to take place in mid-to-late October in Korla. Watch for Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR, to issue its own statement confirming the Pakistani contingent’s participation, and for details on the scale and duration of the drills once they begin.
Sources
- CGTN — “China and Pakistan to hold Karakoram 2026 joint army training” (October 10, 2026) → link
- China Daily — “China, Pakistan armies to conduct counterterrorism drills” (October 10, 2026) → link
- RIA Novosti (via NAMPA) — “China, Pakistan to Hold Joint Military Training in October – Defense Ministry” (October 10, 2026) → link
- Arab News Pakistan — “Pakistan, China hold joint counterterrorism drills as military cooperation deepens” (background) → link
