BEIJING: China’s arms exports have witnessed a sharp decline owing to concerns regarding the poor quality and inconsistent performance of their weaponry. A recent report by the Directus indicates that in the past decade, China’s arms exports have fallen by nearly a quarter.
Furthermore, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has faced challenges related to low-quality weapons.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China’s arms shipments declined by 7.8 percent between 2016 and 2020, compared to the preceding five-year period. During this time, its global market share decreased from 5.6 percent to 5.2 percent. Initially, there was a growing demand for Chinese weaponry due to its competitive pricing compared to offerings from other countries. However, this trend reversed as Chinese armaments failed to perform as promised.
Cindy Zheng, a researcher at the RAND Corporation, highlighted the hidden costs associated with Chinese military equipment, stating that while China attracts customers with its cut-rate pricing and financing, equipment malfunctions can result in substantial expenses. Technological compatibility issues with Chinese military equipment have also proven costly.
China currently supplies weapons to over 53 nations, with a focus on markets not typically served by major arms suppliers like the United States or France. Major importers of Chinese armaments include countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, as well as several African and Middle Eastern nations.
According to Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies, the issue of problems with Chinese military gear has gained prominence. He emphasized that China-made weapons not only lag behind technologically but also lack battlefield testing.
For instance, Myanmar expressed concerns about the low accuracy of radar systems in Chinese jets it purchased, leading to the grounding of most of these aircraft. Nigeria faced maintenance issues with Chinese-made navy warships, requiring them to be sent back to China. These challenges included engine degradation, faulty sensors, and an inability of the missile system to lock onto targets.
Collin Koh, a maritime security analyst based in Singapore, noted that countries importing Chinese military equipment are apprehensive about the lack of combat testing for most Chinese hardware. Another obstacle lies in integrating non-Chinese systems due to political tensions.
Andrei Serbin, a geopolitical intelligence expert and director of the Argentine think tank CRIES, highlighted the disparities in certification standards between China and Western countries, where NATO nations uphold excellence standards for technology certifications, a system notably lacking in China.
[ Source – ANI]
