BEIJING – At a time when the African continent as a whole reduced itsimports of arms and ammunitions from foreign countries, China has emergedas a major player – increasing its weapons exports to the continent by 55%between 2013 and 2017 as compared to the previous five years.
A report published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI) has highlighted that while Africa’s arms imports fell 22% in thelast five years, the share of weapons imported from China grewexponentially. Previously, Russia was one of the major sources from whereAfrican countries purchased arms but the imports fell 32% in the last fiveyears – paving the way for the Chinese to step in and make big bucks. TheUnited States accounts for 11% of all arms and ammunition sold here.
Security analysts believe the surge of Chinese weapons in Africa is largelydue to Beijing’s push to make the country a major weapons manufacturinghub. This has helped President Xi Jinping not just modernise China’smilitary but create a surplus which is exported in the international marketincluding Africa.
According to a report published in South China Morning Post, some of thehigh-profile weapons that China sells to African nations are:
* Battle tanks and armoured vehicles – Tanzania, Chad, Ghana, Namibia,Rwanda, Gabon, Mozambique and Burundi are some of the major buyers.
* Combat aircrafts and drones – Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia andZimbabwe are some of the countries that have purchased combat aircraftsfrom China. US restrictions on selling drones has made China’s path easier.
* Missile systems: Morocco, Sudan and Yemen are some of the key buyers.
* Artillery systems: Congo, Ghana, Sudan, Cameroon, Tanzania, Niger andRwanda are some of the countries to have purchased artillery systems madein China.
Reports suggest that China’s participation in peace-keeping operations inthe continent as well as setting up a millitary base in Djibouti hasfurther helped the country gain a strong foothold in the continent. Withexpansion and modernisation of its military being carried out rapidly backhome, China’s exports are likely to only increase in the times to come