Chinese Arms Sales Monthly Snapshot

Prepared by RAND

Monthly Snapshot

July 2024

A military vehicle carrying a Pterodactyl I unmanned aerial vehicle drives in Beijing, China. Photo by REUTERS/Jason Lee

A military vehicle carrying a Wing Loong-I ("Pterodactyl") unmanned aerial vehicle / Photo by REUTERS/Jason Lee

The Chinese Arms Sales Monthly Snapshot features open-source material on Chinese advanced conventional weapons sales during June 2024. RAND seeks credible open-source material but does not verify the content of the open-source material on Chinese arms export sales to foreign government officials, non-governmental subject matter experts, and media outlets. Chinese arms exports are an important element of its growing military power and geopolitical influence. This activity is supported with funding from the U.S. Department of State.

Selection: Open source materials are selected for the Monthly Snapshot based on analyst judgement to illustrate the diversity of sources, regions, and weapons systems.

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Chinese Military Systems Export Marketing and Sales

Chinese Defense Sector

Chinese Defense Sector and Weapon System Issues

Measures Impacting Sanctions

Chinese Military Systems Export Marketing and Sales

Indonesia Eyes Chinese 248mi-Range YJ-12E Anti-Ship Missiles

June 15, 2024 | Bulgatian Military

Indonesia is reportedly considering the acquisition of China's YJ-12E anti-ship missiles, a move that has garnered attention due to the ongoing maritime disputes between Indonesia and China in the South China Sea. In addition to acquiring the YJ-12E missiles, Indonesia is also exploring collaborative production opportunities with China, similar to its existing partnership with Turkey for the Atmaca anti-ship missiles.

Mauritania Announces UAV Acquisition and Displays New Chinese Equipment

June 12, 2024 | Janes

The Mauritanian Air Force announced its acquisition of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), however, the announcement does not provide details of the UAV beyond its operational radius, range, endurance and payload capacity. The markings of the Mauritania Air Force were allegedly superimposed on the photographs of the UAVs. The report also mentioned that the Mauritanian President inspected Chinese-origin military equipment including 20 WMA301 fire-support vehicles with 105 mm guns, eight Yitian-L short-range air-defense systems, and eight Norinco VN21s armed with anti-tank missile launchers.

Burkina Faso Receives Chinese Armoured Vehicles

June 07, 2024 | Janes

According to the report, Burkina Faso has received a significant shipment of armored vehicles, including CS/VP14 and VP11 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles from China. The consignment also included armoured combat vehicles, weapons, munitions, 17 Caterpillar excavators, and trucks. The VP11 is reportedly in service in several African countries and the CS/VP14 was previously only operated by the Kenyan Army. Defense Minister Brigadier General Kassoum Coulibaly noted that this delivery represents only about 18-20% of the total material expected under the strategic equipment plan announced last December. The report also mentions the earlier delivery in January of fire-support vehicles and self-propelled mortars.

After Selling Fighter Jets, Tanks, Howitzers to Nigeria, China Cements Military Ties with Joint Naval Drills

June 05, 2024 | Eurasian Times

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently completed a significant multilateral joint exercise in Nigeria, highlighting its growing presence in the Atlantic Ocean. The exercise, part of the Nigerian Navy's 68th anniversary celebrations, focused on counter-piracy and counter-oil theft operations, featuring the PLA Navy's Type 054A frigate Xuchang and emphasizing military exchanges and cooperation to bolster China-Africa relations.

Chinese Defense Sector

Giant Lizard All-Terrain Vehicle Introduces by Sichuan Jinjia at Eurosatory 2024

June 18, 2024 | Army Recognition Group

At Eurosatory 2024, Sichuan Jinjia Special Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. showcased the "Giant Lizard" tracked all-terrain vehicle capable of navigating diverse and challenging environments such as deserts, snow, and marshes. The vehicle is designed for a wide range of operations including counter-terrorism, emergency rescue, transportation, and scientific research in extreme conditions.

HH-100 Unmanned Transportation System Demonstrator Conducts First Flight

June 15, 2024 |

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced the successful maiden flight of the HH-100 aerial commercial unmanned transportation system. The HH-100, featuring a 2,000-kilogram maximum take-off weight and a 700-kilogram payload capacity, demonstrated stable performance and is designed to serve various roles including regional air logistics, firefighting, relief delivery, emergency communication, and weather modification.

CSSC Studies Prospect of Landing GJ-11 Drones on Type 075 LHD

June 15, 2024 | X

Several social media posts discusses the satellite image taken near the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard of a test base of China State Shipbuilding Corporation being used to study the use of GJ-11 drones on a landing helicopter dock (LHD). The drones are mockups and the helicopter landing markings of the site resemble the flight deck arrangements of Type 075 LHD.

China's Ban on Military-Use Exports a Good Start

June 14, 2024 | South China Morning Post

China's new export controls on military-related materials, set to begin on July 1, include restrictions on aerospace equipment, gas turbines, and components for bulletproof vests, aiming to prevent militarization without targeting specific countries. The article argues that, amid rising US-China tensions and Western pressure regarding Russia, this action is portrayed as a responsible global move by Beijing.

China's 60th Research Institute Presents Z-6B Helicopter Drone to Improve Naval Accuracy

June 11, 2024 | Army Recognition Group

The report discusses the Z-6B unmanned helicopter which was exhibited at the Nanjing Low-altitude Economic Development Conference. The helicopter is designed for low-cost cargo operations and is equipped with advanced features such as reduced radar reflectivity, and capabilities for multiple military functions including reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. Named after China's first turboshaft-powered helicopter, the Z-6, the UAV's operational specifications include a maximum take-off weight of 1,600 kg, a cruising speed of 200 km/h, and a control radius of 200 km, with capabilities to operate in various maritime conditions up to sea state level 5.

China Tests Type 625E Short-Range Air Defense System To Challenge Russian Pantsir Systems

June 03, 2024 | Army Recognition

On May 16, 2024, the Chinese state television channel CCTV-7 showcased the Type 625E short-range air defense system test, developed by China South Industries Group Corporation and China North Industries Group Corporation, aimed at addressing short-range air defense gaps in China's strategy. While China designed this system to diverge from the similar Russian Pantsir system, the Pantsir-S1 and Pantsir-SM variants offer extended range and advanced radar capabilities beyond those of the Chinese Type 625E.

After ‘Ever Evolving' J-20 Fighter, Debut of China's Next-Gen Aircraft Expected Shortly - PLAAF Test Pilot

June 02, 2024 | Eurasian Times

A Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force pilot announced that the J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter is receiving constant upgrades to meet combat objectives, with expectations for a next-generation warplane debuting soon. China continues to develop base radar, avionics, and engine technologies, as indicated by recent concepts of a sixth-generation fighter shared by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

Chinese Defense Sector and Weapon System Issues

Bangladesh Military Unhappy With Weapons Imported From China; Complains of 'Sub-Standard', Faulty Parts

June 13, 2024 | Times of India

The report discusses challenges faced by Bangladesh caused by defective Chinese military equipment. Bangladesh has complained of technical issues and defective spares received from China both for its air assets and its naval assets. Bangladesh is also reportedly facing difficulty obtaining spares for its Chinese-origin MBT 2000 vehicles. The report mentions that Myanmar has also faced issues with Chinese military equipment.

Pakistan Was Secretive About Fighter Jet JF-17 Crash, But Ejection Seat Maker Firm Made It Public

June 12, 2024 | WION

For over a week, videos have been circulating on social media showing the crash of a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet, developed with China, but authorities withheld details about the incident. The maker of the ejection seat later confirmed that the pilot ejected safely, though the crash reportedly happened on June 5, 2024, near the Jhang district in Punjab province. Despite the speculation on the state of Pakistan's military aviation, neither the media nor the government issued official statements regarding the crash.

Measures Impacting Sanctions

China's Provincial Trade Union Facilitates Sales of Drones and Related Equipment to Russia

June 02, 2024 | X

In reference to a Financial Times report, a social media post on X revealed with screenshots a "notice of foreign purchase" released by the government-affiliated trade promotion association in Guangdong province. The notice serves to link local drone hardware manufacturers to the buyers in Russia. Buyer requirements include UAV detectors, suppressors, and control frequency band jammers, all of which are Chinese-manufactured counterpart of similar Russian equipment.

Video Evidence Shows Chinese-made Counter-UAS Jamming Equipment in Russian Service

June 01, 2024 | X

In a video posted on social media platform X, a Russian sales woman describes how an added jammer module to the portable counter-UAS jamming device can cover the lower control frequencies of Ukrainian drones previously used. In the video, all three jamming modules installed on the counter-UAS device bear product labels printed in Chinese.

Contacts

Cortney Weinbaum

weinbaum@rand.org

Senior Management Scientist

Weilong (David) Kong

dkong@rand.org

Assistant Policy Researcher

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.

This monthly snapshot is part of a U.S. government foreign assistance effort to help countries comply with U.S. and international sanctions associated with the purchase of Chinese advanced conventional weapons.

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