Weapons Sales to Pakistan, Africa Make China World’s Fifth Biggest Arms Exporter

China has stormed the world arms exporters’ big league by displacing the U.K. as the world’s fifth biggest exporter after the U.S., Russia, France, Germany. Exports to Pakistan and certain African states mainly led to this exports surge.

SIPRI noted that Chinese exports of major conventional weapons increased 162 percent between 2003-2007 and 2008-2012, and the country’s share of international arms exports grew from two to five percent.

Dr. Paul Holtom, director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Program, said China’s rise was primarily driven by “large-scale arms acquisitions by Pakistan.” He added that some “recent deals indicate that China is establishing itself as a significant arms supplier to a growing number of important recipient states”.

Other reports indicate that China has significant arms sales to certain African states in the Sub-Saharan and central African region. Purchases by these countries are in small quantities and mainly comprise of personal arms, armored vehicles and short range surface to air(SAM) missiles.

China has become aggressive in the international arms business by displaying its latest weapons in its defence exhibitions. At the Zhuhai Air Show in Guangdong Province late last year, China has displayed its "entire air defence arsenal", including systems that were not so far shown, state owned Global Times reported. "Offering unprecedented openness, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC) and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) showcased the FD-2000 and LY-80, export versions of the domestic HQ-9 (Red Flag-9) long range and HQ-16 mid-range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems used by the People's Liberation Army”, the report said.

Most recently, Chinese media has reported that Chinese made  SAMs in the hands of rebel forces, have downed Syrian Army helicopters. It was not clear how these weapons got into the hands of the rebels.