China provides faulty military equipment to 'friendly' nations
China has surrounded itself in controversy after most of the equipment provided by the world's fifth-largest exporter of weapon systems turned out to be faulty. China accounted for 5.5 per cent of total global arms exports with its top customers including its Belt and Road Initiative partners as Beijing presents itself as an alternative to Russia. In 2015-19, Asia and Oceania accounted for 74 per cent of Chinese arms exports, Africa for 16 per cent and the Middle East for 6.7 per cent, while the number of countries to which China delivers arms has grown significantly - from 40 in 2010-14 to 53 in 2015-19.
Pakistan was the main recipient (35 per cent) in 2015-19, as it has been for all five-year periods since 1991.
A recent report has highlighted how China has pushed defective and faulty equipment to friendly nations.
Bangladesh
- China has provided two obsolete 1970s era Ming class Type 035G submarines to Bangladesh at $100 mn each in 2017 (recommissioned as BNS Nobojatra and BNS Joyjatra). These were originally used as training vessels for PLAN and had outlived their utility. The condition of these submarines is so bad that they are reportedly lying unserviceable for a considerable time. In April 2003, PLA Navy Ming Class submarine 361 suffered a mechanical failure in the Yellow Sea killing all its 70 crew members.
- Recently acquired two Chinese 053H3 Frigates (BNS Umar Farooq and BNS Abu Ubaidah) arrived at Mongla Port Bangladesh in 2020, after experiencing multiple defects en route. This included a non-functioning navigation radar and gun system. The Chinese have reportedly asked for additional payment to repair the boats.
Myanmar
- Tatmadaw's senior leadership is unhappy over the quality of Chinese equipment supplied to them but is helpless due to lack of sources. However, they have started diversifying their imports, looking towards India.
- China is also supplying high-quality sophisticated weapons (including SAMs) to militant groups (Arakan Army) fighting the Tatmadaw which is also a source of annoyance to them.
- “Tayokeset tayet-soke” (“Chinese machine; broken in a day”) is a well known and frequently used phrase in Myanmar.
Nepal
- Six China-made Y12e and MA60 aircraft, already rejected by Bangladesh, were purchased by Nepal for its national airlines but now are lying useless as they are neither suited for Nepal's terrain nor are spare parts available for them. The Chinese have refused to consider Nepal's requests to replace them.
Pakistan
- Pakistan has borne the brunt of China's 'iron clad friendship' as it has been made the dumping ground for all types of obsolete, discarded and sub-standard equipment from the Chinese.
- The refurbished Chinese built F22P frigates for Pak Navy have been beset with various technical malfunctions. In September 2018, the Pakistan Navy had requested China for a comprehensive proposal to undertake the Mid-Life Upgrade/overhaul of these ships. However, China seeing no profit turned a blind eye, thus forcing Pakistan Navy to turn to Turkey.
- Pakistan Army has procured nine systems of LY-80 LOMADS from China. Pak Army had signed two separate contracts for the supply of the AD System along with IBIS-150 radar. Delivery of all nine systems was completed in 2019. Three out of nine systems are non-functional due to faults in guidance vehicle, search vehicle and firing vehicle. Pak Army has conveyed to M/s Aerospace Long-March International Co Ltd (ALIT) that these need to be addressed on priority.
Kenya
- When Kenya bought Norinco VN-4 armoured personnel carriers, China’s sales representative declined to sit inside the vehicles during a test firing. Kenya went ahead in 2016 with the purchase anyway and dozens of Kenyan personnel have been reportedly killed in those vehicles. The VN-4, nicknamed “Rhinoceros”, is manufactured by state-owned Chongqing Tiema Industries.
Algeria
- An accident took place near Algeria's Tindouf Airbase in 2013 during the testing period of the export version of CH-4B UCAV. The accident destroyed the UAV. The second accident took place near the Ain Oussera Airbase on March 9, 2014. The same issue of losing control over the craft during landing below 200m was indicated as the cause of the accident. A third accident has been reported by the Algerian Air Force near Bir Rogaa airbase.
Jordan
- Jordan purchased six CH-4B UCAVs in 2016. Within just three years, the kingdom had put them up for disposal with their sale advertised in Jun 2019.
