Aircraft
China’s shifting import needs forcing Russians to adapt
The amount of foreign off-the-shelf defense products China purchases is falling, overall, but its cooperation with foreign countries–mainly Russia–shows a

The amount of foreign off-the-shelf defense products China purchases is falling, overall, but its cooperation with foreign countries–mainly Russia–shows a growing trend toward acquiring licenses and technologies for production and joint development projects. The Chinese are especially interested in new materials, composites, software and high technology for aircraft or engines. They also are developing product support infrastructure.

At face value, the continuing U.S. and European Union embargoes against sales of military hardware to China is good news for Russia’s defense industry. However, China, like India, is determined to diversify its defense partners–a decision that may create difficulties for Russian exporters that have had problems with Chinese customers over the past 12 months.