Chinese Arms Sales Monthly Snapshot

How Biden Can Reverse China's Gains in Saudi Arabia

July 07, 2022 | Foreign Policy

This article discusses Saudi Arabia's expanding ties with China. It notes that they "inked a joint venture deal to design and construct drones in Saudi Arabia in March of this year," with Saudi Arabi having "plans to produce up to 300 Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles."

Chinese Officials Meet to Discuss Fishing Opportunities in Somalia

July 13, 2022 | Seafood Source

Chinese media has reported that its supply of fighter jets to Somalia was paid for in part by fishery access rights granted to Chinese state-controlled arms and aviation firm AVIC.

Malawi Procures Aircrafts From China

July 18, 2022 | Malawi 24

The Malawi Defense Forces reportedly recently received "MA600 aircrafts...procured from China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC)."

Pak-Azerbaijan Military & End Game in South Caucasus

July 01, 2022 | Azerbaijan State News Agency

This article from Azerbaijan State News Agency states that "Azerbaijan has...showed keen interest to buy JF-17 Thunder Block-III."

China to Conduct Flight Test for Aircraft of Key "Strategic, Historic Significance"

July 07, 2022 | Global Times

China is reportedly "planning to conduct a flight test for an important type of aircraft that has crucial strategic and historic significance" according to "a top official at the flight test center of the Chinese military's top warplane contractor." The article highlights that AVIC Flight Test Center "is China's only national-level organization qualified to conduct validations and flight tests for aviation products, including military and civilian aircraft, aero engines and airborne equipment."

Morocco Targets the Acquisition of Chinese Wing Loong 2 Armed Drones (Le Maroc vise l'acquisition de drones armés chinois Wing Loong 2)

July 08, 2022 | L'Opinion

This article claims that Morocco is negotiating with China to acquire Wing Loong-II drones. This is reportedly part of Morocco's strategy of diversifying its sources of military systems.

Norinco Offers the VN-1D1 Version of Its Armored 8x8 to Be the Next VCBR in Argentina (Norinco ofrece la versión VN-1D1 de su blindado 8x8 para ser el próximo VCBR de Argentina)

July 08, 2022 | Info Defensa

This article gives details on China's VN-1 offer to Argentina's armed forces. China's Norinco proposed to provide 60 VN-1 systems and develop a local assembly plant for the remaining roughly 170 systems. The article states that the VN-1 has received an upgrade which includes German-made Deutz engines produced under a license.

The JF-17 Thunder Is Emerging as the Future Fighter-Bomber of the Argentine Air Force (El JF-17 Thunder se perfila como el futuro cazabombardero de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina)

July 20, 2022 | Zona Militar

Zona Militar recently interviewed the head of Argentina's air forces, in which he highlighted details of the recent trip by Argentina's delegation to CATIC's facilities in China to view and test the JF-17. The tests reportedly met their expectations, and he highlighted the inclusion of logistical support in the deal and financing conditions for the project. The selection process, however, is still ongoing.

China's "French Helicopter" Cleared for Ops; Is Propelled By Safran Engines That Could Power India's AMCA

July 28, 2022 | EurAsian Times

China's Z-15 helicopter, produced by AVIC's Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, received approval from China's civil aviation authorities. The medium utility helicopter can be used for search and rescue. The article highlights that the WZ-16 engine used is "jointly developed by the state-owned Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) and the French company Safran Helicopter Engines." This more powerful engine "could also be used for realizing the high-altitude capacity of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA’s) 5.5-ton Z-10 attack helicopters."

New Chinese Aid for Syria Sets Off Alarms in Israel

July 28, 2022 | Breaking Defense

Syria will receive communications equipment from China, according to the official announcement at an exchange-of-notes ceremony held in Damascus. Israeli defense sources said that China’s aid “aimed to improve local network infrastructure” is expected to strengthen Syria’s military communications network and warned about China’s attempt sell Syria its defense systems.

Is Bangladesh Next to Fall in China’s Debt-Trap Diplomacy?

July 04, 2022 | The Print

This article claims "Bangladesh is falling under the debt trap of China by sponsoring infrastructure projects." The article highlights how China is "gradually bringing Bangladesh into its trap" through arms sales, noting that Chinese arms are creating challenges for Bangladesh. The article also states that "most of the defence officers (especially Naval officers) are against acquiring defence hardware from China because of sub-standard quality and lack of maintenance facilities."

China Emerges as an Arms Supplier of Choice for Many Middle East Countries, Say Analysts

July 22, 2022 | Middle East Eye

China has been expanding its arms sales in the Middle East and North Africa. China's "combination of price point and industrial capacity are big selling points...to international customers." Chinese-made weapons allow nations in the region to "reduce their political dependence on the United States and Europe while providing an inexpensive means to stockpile their arsenals." Despite this, however, "Beijing is having trouble 'making inroads into the high-end, high-prestige weapons system market that includes aircraft, advanced sensors, and area denial defensive systems,'" as "Chinese manufacturers of high-end weapons systems face a deficit of trust combined with a lack of field testing in conflict zones."

China Unable to Supply Spare Parts for Missiles it Sold to Pakistan

July 27, 2022 | The Print

This article highlights the failure of China's surface-to-air missile systems supplied to Pakistan five years ago. As many as 477 defects were identified with the Chinese-made HQ-16 systems which raised concerns in Pakistan about the impact to its air defense and the quality of future planned HQ-16 systems purchases.

The Enemy of My Friend Remains My Friend: China’s Ukraine Dilemma

July 12, 2022 | China Observers

Ukraine was the third largest weapons supplier of key defense technologies to China, including gas turbines for Chinese destroyers, sensor systems, aircraft turbofan engines, tank diesel engines, and transport planes. The article points out that given the circumstances of the Russia-Ukraine war, China will need to find different means to procure key military technology, particularly as Russia's offerings are limited by sanctions and if Beijing provides military assistance to Russia.

Chinese Firms Are Selling Russia Goods Its Military Needs to Keep Fighting in Ukraine

July 15, 2022 | Wall Street Journal

Chinese customs data shows exports of dual-use items including electronic components such as microchips and raw materials such as aluminum oxide significantly increased in the last several months. The article highlights that "chip shipments from China to Russia more than doubled...in the first five months of 2022 compared with a year earlier" and exports of aluminum oxide to Russia, "used to make the metal aluminum, an important material in weapons production and aerospace, are 400 times higher than last year."