China Expands Global Arms Sales as US Influence Faces Challenge
Chinese weapons exports reach 44 countries amid shifting defense alliances
China has emerged as a significant player in the global arms trade, exporting weapons to 44 countries while reducing its own dependence on foreign imports. According to a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report, China's arms imports fell by 64 percent between 2020 and 2024 compared to the previous five-year period. This shift reflects China's growing domestic production capabilities in engines, combat aircraft, and helicopters, ending its reliance on Russian and European technologies.
The United States faces increasing competition in the global arms market as China offers lower-cost weapons with fewer conditions than Western suppliers. This strategy particularly appeals to governments seeking alternatives to American oversight. Despite China's growing presence, many nations—particularly in Asia and Oceania—continue to source weapons from Western suppliers, with India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea maintaining strong defense relationships with the United States as a counterbalance to Beijing's military rise.
KEY POINTS
- •China arms exports reach 44 countries
- •US faces growing competition in arms sales
- •Pakistan is China's largest weapons buyer
China's arms exports remain concentrated among traditional partners, with Pakistan accounting for 63 percent of China's total arms exports between 2020 and 2024. Other significant customers include Bangladesh and Myanmar in Asia, Nigeria and Algeria in Africa, and Iran and Oman in the Middle East. These relationships serve not only commercial purposes but also function as tools of statecraft, building alliances and reshaping regional power balances.
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