Pakistan’s recent introduction of the Tipu laser-guided 155mm artillery shell, claimed as an indigenous innovation by the Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), has been criticized for its dubious lineage, closely resembling China’s Norinco GP-1, a derivative of Russia’s Krasnopol. Defense analysts argue that despite its presentation as a technological advancement, the Tipu merely repackages existing foreign technology, echoing past mistakes in Pakistan’s defense procurement. This trend, also seen in their Fatah-1 rocket system, underscores Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese replicas, revealing vulnerabilities in operational effectiveness and raising concerns over battlefield performance. Such instances highlight the risks of compromising on quality for perceived self-reliance, especially in a region where military capabilities can decisively influence conflicts.