Chinese Arms Production and Sales to the Third World

The People's Republic of China is the largest exporter of military equipment in the Third World. This Note considers the kinds of weapons the Chinese have sold abroad, and the effects these arms sales have had on Third World regional security developments. In particular, it discusses how they affect U.S. security interests in the Third World. It also examines how Chinese weapon systems currently under development might affect these issues, whether the United States and the West should be concerned about Chinese arms modernization, and what Chinese weapon programs the West should track most closely. China could become increasingly active in joint ventures with other Third World countries in developing and producing weaponry, and therefore the emphasis in Chinese arms transfers to the Third World could undergo a dramatic shift. China may continue to provide low-end military equipment to the Third World, but increasingly, its arms exports could be directed toward fulfilling a few niches of "mid-tech" weaponry, in particular, missiles, combat aircraft, and military technology transfers. If so, Chinese weapon sales to the Third World eventually could substantially influence regional military situations.