• While the US is “preoccupied” with the war in Ukraine, Beijing sees an opportunity to flood the market with Chinese-made military equipment, the Financial Times reported.
• China’s military-civilian fusion policy is another way for the Chinese government to beat the United States on the world stage.
  
• “Our technology is already superior to our Western rivals,” one recent trade fair attendee told the magazine.
  

According to the Financial Times, Chinese defense firms want to flood developing-world markets with Chinese weapons, saying the West is “distracting” from the war in Ukraine.

As the Chinese government pushes for a top-down effort to “break the Western monopoly” in defense technology, Chinese arms companies are beginning to tap underserved arms markets in developing countries, the FT said. the paper reported. reportThe outlet declined to be named for security reasons, citing industry representatives who attended a recent trade show. Western defense firms and governments are creating sales opportunities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to meet surging demand in the wake of the Ukraine war, a person close to a major Chinese tank manufacturer told the FT. I am focused on doing.

“We can pick up the slack [in weapons exports] Left in Russia and Ukraine … meanwhile, America and Europe are preoccupied with war and not paying attention to the needs of customers in certain developing countries,” said the person, referring to China’s Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group. rice field. . (Related: CEO of America’s biggest defense contractor says it’s ‘impossible’ to stop relying on China)

According to the FT and the US State Department, China’s “military-civilian fusion” policy includes not only leveraging local research, but also stealing technology from foreign sources through commercial transactions between ostensibly private Chinese and international firms. It is said that this is also included.

The policy has evolved into a “national strategy” personally overseen by Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, and has expanded in recent years to include “all areas of competition” beyond just military technology, experts told the media. rice field.

Advertisements at the trade fair, which targeted private companies specializing in products with potential military applications, advertised products that could “break the Western monopoly” in the defense industry, the FT said.

According to the FT, another participant said China’s military-civilian fusion policy was a “boon” for local businesses as the government seeks to re-strengthen vital supply chains.

The technology on display at the show included military vehicles, computer servers and intelligence gathering software, the FT said.

“Our technology is already superior to our Western rivals,” one participant told the magazine.

In a recent photo released by the Chinese (🇨🇳) company NORINCO, @exercioficial (🇧🇷) Officials are seen observing the VT-4 MBT.

NORINCO is offering a VT-4 MBT with a 120 mm gun for the upcoming Brazilian MBT replacement tender. pic.twitter.com/dmEEPlfhCE

— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) May 22, 2023

Historically, the United States has been a major source of high-quality but expensive weapons and military equipment, while Russia has been the world’s leading supplier of low-priced goods, according to professors Vasabjit Banerjee and Benjamin Tkach. says. Mississippi State University, write in Diplomacy in October. But with the Russian government’s own capabilities drained by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China stepped in to fill the void left by Russia with affordable, low-tech weapons, and the U.S.’s quest for influence in the developing world. They warned that the move could be dodged.

Data on arms exports in 2023 were not immediately available, but US arms exports surged in 2022. according to Based on data collected by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Ukrainian exports surged from 20 million in 2021 to 917 million in 2022, according to data viewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

According to SIPRI, Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, leading to a dramatic influx of Western weapons aimed at arming Kiev and increased demand in Europe.

“Despite a decline in global arms transfers, tensions between Russia and most other European countries have led to a surge in arms transfers to Europe,” said a senior SIPRI arms transfer program official. said researcher Peter D. Wezeman. Said in a statement. “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European countries want to import more and faster arms. Arms imports to the Middle East remain at high levels.”

The State Department announced in January that sales of U.S. military equipment to foreign governments will rise 40% in 2022, including $13.9 billion in F-15ID fighter jets for Indonesia and a multi-purpose aircraft for Greece. Includes $6.9 billion for surface combat ships and $6 billion for M1A2 Abrams tanks.Poland, Reuters report.

Countries can purchase U.S.-made weapons through direct arrangements with U.S. arms manufacturers or through a process called “foreign military sales,” which involves the Departments of State and Defense. Both routes require approval from the U.S. government, according to Reuters.

The State Department did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.

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