India-Pakistan Conflict Highlights Western Military Tech Concerns

The downing of an Indian Rafale fighter jet by a Pakistani air-defense system made in China during an attack on Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Western military technologies. The incident has significant implications for Europe's strategic autonomy, which relies heavily on the French-made Rafale. Experts caution that Western air forces must improve their readiness against Russian and Chinese defense systems. The Indian operation, code-named 'Sindoor', was intended to destroy training camps and weapons depots maintained by Pakistani terrorist cells but resulted in heavy losses for India. The incident has sparked a debate about the capabilities of the Rafale and its potential vulnerabilities in air-to-air combat against advanced defense systems.

The South China Morning Post highlights seven news stories that resonated with readers, including a comparison between China's J-10C and France's Rafale fighter jets, US-China trade talks, and the development of the US sixth-generation fighter jet.

The imposition of US tariffs on pharmaceuticals is expected to impact Chinese export firms' profit margins, despite US President Donald Trump's pledge to lower domestic drug prices. Analysts say that while the tariffs may be milder than expected, Chinese firms may still bear the financial burden or shift production to Southeast Asian countries.