The Chinese Arms Industry is Gaining Ground in the Middle East
Experts at the SIGNAL Institute emphasize that while this issue is troubling for Israel, it is a regional and global concern with far-reaching implications
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 07/02/2024
eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Zhiyong
In the January 2020 report compiled by Guosen Securities, a Chinese investment company, it was noted that following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the Middle East finds itself on the brink of conflict, creating an opportunity for Chinese arms manufacturers. Additionally, the report mentioned that when sanctions on Iran end in October 2020, another opportunity will arise for Chinese arms companies.
Whether it was seizing a business opportunity or part of a deliberate policy, the Chinese arms industry has expanded and entrenched itself in the Middle East over the past decade.
According to a report by General Michael E. Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM in the U.S. military, to the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2023, there has been an 80% increase in Chinese military equipment sales in the region over the past decade. This trend was also evidenced in the conflict in Gaza.
When reports surfaced about the discovery of Chinese-made weapons in the hands of terrorist organizations in the region, researchers at the SIGNAL Institute for Research and Policy, which examines China's relations with Israel and China's relations with the Middle East, stated that while China does not sell weapons to non-state entities, it does sell weapons to countries that could potentially transfer them to Hamas.
Carice Witte, founder and CEO of the SIGNAL Research and Policy Institute, which focuses on Israel-China relations, China's policy, and the Middle East, stated: "China has a massive military-industrial complex. By definition, it does not sell weapons to non-state actors or entities, but it does indeed sell weapons to countries in the region.
"These are actors who operate unlawfully in China, who could have transferred these weapons to Hamas. Trade relations between China and many countries in the Middle East are well-known and established, even with those subject to Western sanctions. It is not inconceivable that such weapons ultimately end up in the wrong hands."
According to Witte, "The State of Israel cannot afford a reality where Chinese weapons flow unchecked to terrorist organizations and enemy states in the region. Israel has a significant relationship with China, and it is not advisable to undermine the various interests between the two countries. Mechanisms can be established to ensure increased Chinese oversight of its arms industry and secure Israel's qualitative advantage in the region."
Dale Aluf, a researcher at the SIGNAL group, states that China has been selling weapons to countries in the region for years. "As early as 2013, a report by The New York Times indicated that an Iranian ship intercepted off the coast of Yemen was carrying advanced Chinese anti-aircraft missiles.
“In December 2023, Chinese military blogger Zhang Bin wrote that the Houthis had effectively 'defeated' the Chinese military by being the first to strike a ship using Chinese missile technology.
“However, there is no known evidence of direct transfer of Chinese weapons to the Houthis. According to the blogger Bin, it is possible that the Chinese source of the weaponry used against the ship by the Houthis stemmed from Chinese technology that was previously shared with Iran.”
Aluf further adds that in August 2023, Nikkei reported that Chinese companies were flowing into record numbers due to the Turkish defense downturn. According to the article, a total of 104 Chinese companies participated in the 16th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) and sought business opportunities in Turkey's growing defense manufacturing and export industry, as well as approached military delegations and security procurement to expand their market.
At the same time, the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is in talks with China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) regarding the purchase of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, air defense systems, and more.
According to reports, Egypt is in talks with China to purchase twelve Chengdu J-10C fighter jets, while the United Arab Emirates has already acquired advanced training aircraft from China.
Experts at the SIGNAL Institute emphasize that while this issue is troubling for Israel, it is a regional and global concern with far-reaching implications.
Experts at the SIGNAL Institute emphasize that while this issue is troubling for Israel, it is a regional and global concern with far-reaching implications
eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Zhiyong
In the January 2020 report compiled by Guosen Securities, a Chinese investment company, it was noted that following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the Middle East finds itself on the brink of conflict, creating an opportunity for Chinese arms manufacturers. Additionally, the report mentioned that when sanctions on Iran end in October 2020, another opportunity will arise for Chinese arms companies.
Whether it was seizing a business opportunity or part of a deliberate policy, the Chinese arms industry has expanded and entrenched itself in the Middle East over the past decade.
According to a report by General Michael E. Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM in the U.S. military, to the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2023, there has been an 80% increase in Chinese military equipment sales in the region over the past decade. This trend was also evidenced in the conflict in Gaza.
When reports surfaced about the discovery of Chinese-made weapons in the hands of terrorist organizations in the region, researchers at the SIGNAL Institute for Research and Policy, which examines China's relations with Israel and China's relations with the Middle East, stated that while China does not sell weapons to non-state entities, it does sell weapons to countries that could potentially transfer them to Hamas.
Carice Witte, founder and CEO of the SIGNAL Research and Policy Institute, which focuses on Israel-China relations, China's policy, and the Middle East, stated: "China has a massive military-industrial complex. By definition, it does not sell weapons to non-state actors or entities, but it does indeed sell weapons to countries in the region.
"These are actors who operate unlawfully in China, who could have transferred these weapons to Hamas. Trade relations between China and many countries in the Middle East are well-known and established, even with those subject to Western sanctions. It is not inconceivable that such weapons ultimately end up in the wrong hands."
According to Witte, "The State of Israel cannot afford a reality where Chinese weapons flow unchecked to terrorist organizations and enemy states in the region. Israel has a significant relationship with China, and it is not advisable to undermine the various interests between the two countries. Mechanisms can be established to ensure increased Chinese oversight of its arms industry and secure Israel's qualitative advantage in the region."
Dale Aluf, a researcher at the SIGNAL group, states that China has been selling weapons to countries in the region for years. "As early as 2013, a report by The New York Times indicated that an Iranian ship intercepted off the coast of Yemen was carrying advanced Chinese anti-aircraft missiles.
“In December 2023, Chinese military blogger Zhang Bin wrote that the Houthis had effectively 'defeated' the Chinese military by being the first to strike a ship using Chinese missile technology.
“However, there is no known evidence of direct transfer of Chinese weapons to the Houthis. According to the blogger Bin, it is possible that the Chinese source of the weaponry used against the ship by the Houthis stemmed from Chinese technology that was previously shared with Iran.”
Aluf further adds that in August 2023, Nikkei reported that Chinese companies were flowing into record numbers due to the Turkish defense downturn. According to the article, a total of 104 Chinese companies participated in the 16th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) and sought business opportunities in Turkey's growing defense manufacturing and export industry, as well as approached military delegations and security procurement to expand their market.
At the same time, the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is in talks with China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) regarding the purchase of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, air defense systems, and more.
According to reports, Egypt is in talks with China to purchase twelve Chengdu J-10C fighter jets, while the United Arab Emirates has already acquired advanced training aircraft from China.
Experts at the SIGNAL Institute emphasize that while this issue is troubling for Israel, it is a regional and global concern with far-reaching implications.
