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Arms Imports from Russia and Europe
Unlike most other regions, where China is a net exporter of arms, Europe presents a different story. More than 99 percent of China’s total arms imports ($14.4 billion) come from Europe, while it exports a paltry $17 million of its own weapons to the continent. This trend is driven mostly by Russia, which supplies China with 68 percent of its foreign arms. France and Ukraine collectively supply an additional 20 percent of these imports.
Aircraft vs Engine Imports from Russia
Years Combat Aircraft Aircraft Engines
2012-2016 4 424
2007-2011 11 202
2002-2006 145 70
1997-2001 79 4
1992-1996 45 –
1987-1991 3 –
Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Historically, Russian arms have poured over the border to China, but this trend is shifting. Russian arms sales to China averaged $2.6 billion through the 2000s, reaching a peak of $3.2 billion in 2005. This figure dropped significantly, averaging $816 million between 2010 and 2018. As a result, China’s share of Russian arms exports has declined from 47.7 percent of total sales in 2006 to 13.7 percent in 2018.
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This trend reflects China’s growing capability to domestically produce weapons, which in many cases has been supported by the successful reverse engineering of existing technology. For instance, the Shenyang J-11 fighter was adopted from the Russia Su-27k that Beijing first purchased in 1992. It has been suggested that China’s HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles were inspired by Russia’s S-300 platform. China’s economic growth has also contributed to this shift. China spends more on research and development than any other country except the United States.
The nature of Chinese arms imports is also changing. Whereas in the past China procured entire weapons systems, it is increasingly purchasing specific components that can be outfitted on platforms designed and built at home. Of particular note is China’s longstanding need to acquire foreign engines to counterbalance its struggles to indigenously produce them. Between 2012 and 2019, China purchased over 420 aircraft engines from Russia, along with 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft. This represents a reversal from 1997 to 2001 when China bought only four engines but 79 finished aircraft from Russia.
China has made considerable progress in establishing itself as a pioneer in emerging industries. Learn more about its investments in research and development.
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Ukraine, which shares technological ties with Russia stemming from the Soviet era, also provides China with propulsion systems. In 2011, Beijing acquired 250 Ukrainian turbofans for trainer and combat aircraft, along with 50 diesel-powered tank engines and three refurbished IL-78 air-refueling planes. A sizable portion of China’s orders from France are also for engines. China has sourced French-built diesel engines, such as the 16PC2.5 and 12PA6, for outfitting its naval vessels. There are also indications that China has acquired French civilian helicopter engines for military use.
https://chinapower.csis.org/china-global-arms-trade/
