The output of Chinese weapons is increasing both by orders of the PLA and for exportAn analysis of Chinese military-technical publications shows that by 2010 China was able to provide its own production of almost a full range of nomenclature of weapons and military equipment (IWT).
The few exceptions were heavy military transport aircraft (VTS) and tanker aircraft based on them, medium transport helicopters, certain types of deck-based helicopters.
AIR CABSChina did not produce heavy military-technical vehicles at that time, and the production of Zhi-8 transport helicopters, which are in the same payload class with the Mi-17, has been maintained in China since the 1980s, but did not meet the requirements of the PLA command.
After the adoption of the Yun-20 heavy military-technical equipment by the PLA in 2016, this niche was closed by its own production. Currently, a heavy tanker aircraft based on the Yun-20 (Yun-20U) is being tested, which will close the needs for such machines (as of the beginning of 2022, the PLA Air Force has three Il-78 aircraft and several dozen obsolete Chinese medium tanker aircraft based on a bomber "Hun-6").
Over the past decade, there has been a significant expansion in the production and procurement of the PLA medium transport helicopters "Zhi-8F", "Zhi-18", "Zhi-20", which have become widespread in the army aviation brigades of the PLA ground forces. On the basis of the Zhi-18, deck helicopters have been created, similar in their functions to the Ka-28 and Ka-31 previously purchased in Russia. At the same time, full self-sufficiency with medium transport helicopters has not yet been fully achieved.
It is reliably known that China does not produce heavy transport helicopters of the Mi-26 type. However, the PLA does not use a similar type of rotorcraft. All Mi-26s purchased by China are on the balance sheet of civilian companies and perform tasks in the interests of the border and fire services.
At the same time, a program is being implemented jointly with Russia to create an AHL heavy helicopter, which is at the design stage. With the exception of army aviation helicopters, the needs of the PLA ground forces in the air force are now almost completely covered by their own production.
Limited purchases of advanced Russian weapons systems, such as the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and the Su-35 fighter, are being carried out, which complement the mass purchases of Chinese-made products inferior in their combat capabilities. These samples are intended for arming troops solving special tasks in priority areas and are designed to expand the experience and training of military personnel operating them and enterprises of the Chinese defense industry.
AIRCRAFT ENGINESMuch more serious is the dependence of the PRC on the supply of foreign units and components for the equipment they produce.
This trend is particularly noticeable in the segment of aircraft engine production, although in this area Chinese engineers have passed a significant path to self-sufficiency over the decade.
In the period 2010-2015, China's dependence on the import of engines for fighter jets of all types remained in general, since the characteristics of the WS-10 Taihang engine developed and put into production by that time remained unsatisfactory in terms of reliability and resource.
China was also forced to purchase Russian engines for the Hong-6K bombers, and with the start of flight tests and the release of Yun-20 aircraft, to increase purchases in Russia. In addition, the PRC was forced to purchase AI-222–25F engines for L-15 combat training aircraft in Ukraine.
To date, China provides, through its own production, the equipment with engines of Chinese fourth-generation fighters entering service with the PLA. So far, dependence remains on the supply of Russian D-30KP2 engines for heavy aircraft "Hong-6K" and "Yun-20".
Currently, the Yun-20 is undergoing flight tests with the Chinese WS-20 engine, the fine-tuning of which may take several years, as it was with the WS-10 engine. But ultimately it will have to eliminate the Chinese need for Russian D-30KP2.
The prospects of replacing the AI-222–25F engines with the Chinese equivalent remain unclear. Thwarted by the intervention of the United States, the attempt of the Chinese company Skyrizon to buy the Ukrainian aircraft engine company Motor-Sich was, among other things, to create conditions for the transfer to China of the production of TV3–117 engines for the large (up to 500 units) fleet of Russian helicopters operated in the country and the transfer of AI-222–25F production technologies.
The FC–1 fighters produced jointly with Pakistan (actually assembled in Pakistan under a Chinese license) continue to be equipped with Russian RD-93 engines. Almost all export helicopters are equipped with imported (mainly French Turbomeca) engines. It can be argued that the lack of confidence in Chinese products in the field of engine building on the part of foreign customers will continue in the near future.
OTHER UNITS AND COMPONENTSChina has overcome its dependence on Ukrainian 6TD-2 engine and transmission units used in the production of export tanks.
If the production of the MBT-2000 export tank remained dependent on the Ukrainian engine, then the MBT-3000 (VT-4) currently offered for export already uses its own 1500 hp diesel engine.
There is still some dependence of China on Russia in the import of units and components of radar, missile and aviation equipment of new production in the amount of several hundred million dollars a year, but it is difficult to assess it more accurately. In addition, Russia continues to provide China with services for the maintenance and modernization of previously delivered military equipment.
In the field of naval weapons, by 2022 China has achieved full self–sufficiency in the production of ship power plants - both diesel and gas turbine. It is known that after 2014, Chinese-made engines were supplied to the Russian Federation for installation on patrol boats of the border service.
China has also practically overcome its dependence on imports of ready-made weapons and military equipment, occupying one of the leading places in the world in terms of self-sufficiency and the range of manufactured military products. In addition to its own production, only limited purchases of Russian samples with exceptionally high tactical and technical characteristics are carried out. Prospects for military-technical cooperation with the PRC may be mainly related to joint research and development (R&D) and joint production programs.
Thus, China practically eliminated dependence on foreign ready-made weapons already in the first half of the 2010s. Over the past decade, China has managed to radically reduce the dependence of its military production on imported aggregates and components.
COMPROMISES IN THE FIELD OF QUALITYThe key areas of Chinese dependence at present are the need for foreign developments due to the immaturity of their own scientific and engineering schools in certain areas.
In addition, the dependence of the Chinese defense industry on the procurement of certain types of advanced production equipment continues to be serious.
A study of the databases of the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) suggests that China's aviation industry has the capabilities to develop, manufacture, repair and dispose of almost the entire range of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military purposes: combat aircraft, military transport and special aircraft, helicopters and UAVs. The enterprises of the industry have production facilities for all major types of aviation equipment.
An analysis of the composition of China's military aviation fleet, according to the annual bulletin with a review of the military capabilities of the world's states Military Balance 2022, at the place of production of samples shows that the fleet of aircraft and helicopters, numbering 5,407 units, mainly consists of aircraft of its own production – 4,702 aircraft and helicopters, or 87%. The share of imported samples is 705 aircraft and helicopters, which account for 13% of the fleet. Including from Russia – 632 units (11.7%), from other countries – 73 units (1.3%). As for the UAV fleet, all 100% of the samples in service with the PLA are produced by its own aviation industry.
Of course, the achieved self-sufficiency became possible largely due to compromises in the field of quality and safety. Some samples of military equipment used by the PLA do not have export prospects or can only be exported if key components are replaced with imported ones. Some products may be uncompetitive due to rising resource prices and wage increases in the Chinese labor market.
conclusionsIt seems possible to draw the following conclusions and generalizations regarding the dynamics of the rearmament of the Chinese army:
1. In order to overcome the existing problems, the Chinese leadership is making significant efforts to increase funding for the development of military hardware, increase military and dual-use R&D, and increase the level of training of qualified research and engineering personnel for military production.
2. The established organizational structure and the management system of the military-industrial complex (MIC) operating in the country generally meet the development needs of the Chinese Armed Forces. The activities of State and military management bodies at all levels are strictly monitored. At the same time, the reform process is continuously carried out, due to the high rates of economic development, as well as rapid technological progress.
3. In general, China's military industry meets the needs of the PLA in weapons and military equipment. In addition, a significant part of the manufactured military equipment is exported. In order to further develop the military industry, the military-political leadership of China is making significant efforts to increase funding for the development of military hardware, increase military and dual-use R&D, and increase the level of training of qualified research and engineering personnel for military production.
Vasily IvanovVasily Ivanovich Ivanov is a journalist.
