June 9, 2025
4 mins read

Chinese Arms: All Show, No Go?

Mounting evidence indicates that systemic corruption and persistent quality issues within China’s defence industry are eroding the reliability and global credibility of its military exports…writes Rishan Sen

For over a decade, China has established itself as a major global arms supplier, offering military hardware at prices often far below those of Western competitors. This affordability has made Chinese defence exports especially attractive to developing nations with limited budgets but growing security needs.

However, a growing body of evidence suggests that systemic corruption and quality deficiencies within China’s defence sector are undermining the reliability and effectiveness of its military exports. For importers, these issues not only compromise operational readiness but also pose significant strategic and financial risks.

The recent expulsion of two Chinese defence ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, from the Communist Party, both of whom previously held senior posts overseeing procurement, has exposed the scale of dysfunction within China’s military-industrial complex. Investigations have revealed that bribes, cronyism and inflated contracts are rife across key defence institutions.

Tan Ruisong, former chairman of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), too is under formal investigation. Meanwhile, the Rocket Force, a key pillar of China’s strategic deterrent, is reportedly riddled with graft, as indicated by the abrupt disappearance or investigation of multiple senior officers. These cases go beyond routine political purges; they point to a systemic problem in how China produces and sells military equipment. The Pentagon has highlighted that such corruption could even impede China’s military modernization goals, particularly its ambitions concerning Taiwan. The pervasive nature of corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) raises concerns about the integrity of China’s defence apparatus and its exported military equipment.

Such a degradation is also clearly visible in the performance of Chinese military exports across multiple client states. Pakistan, one of Beijing’s closest defense partners, has repeatedly experienced issues with the F-22P frigates it acquired from China. These have suffered from faulty missile systems and unreliable radar equipment, while the performance of Chinese-made weapons in Pakistan’s recent conflict with India is another significant case in point.

–FILE–Chinese soldiers browse online news on desktop computers at a garrison of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) in Chongqing, China, 14 November 2013.

Myanmar has grounded its fleet of JF-17 fighter jets due to engine failures, poor radar performance, and structural weaknesses, many of which emerged soon after acquisition. However, Myanmar’s air force still actively deploys Chinese made jet fighters as well as transport planes to attack opposition forces.

This is despite a long-standing lack of confidence among Myanmar’s generals in the quality and reliability of Chinese-made military hardware. In 2024, an ethnic armed resistance group shot down a Chinese made FTC-2000 G jet fighter in northern Shan State, further exposing the vulnerabilities of Chinese made tech and exacerbating long-standing concerns within the junta.

Algeria, too, has faced repeated crashes of Chinese-made CH-4 drones during trials, raising concerns about their battlefield utility. Even countries like Bangladesh have reported that basic trainer aircraft, such as the K8-W, struggled to perform rudimentary functions like firing onboard ammunition properly. These failures therefore reflect a deeply-rooted quality control problem that stems from rushed production, lack of testing and the prioritization of quantity over quality.

These are not rare outliers. They are symptomatic of a defence sector where corruption undercuts every link in the supply chain from design and procurement to production and export. The corrosion of integrity in the Chinese defence establishment has unfortunately undermined the very utility of its products. It is no coincidence that several of China’s partner states have quietly begun limiting new purchases or turning to other suppliers.

Such issues also carry significant strategic and operational consequences for importing nations. Military forces that rely on defective or unreliable systems are left with major capability gaps, especially during periods of conflict or crisis. The cost-effectiveness of Chinese arms quickly disappears when states must spend disproportionately on repairs and spare parts, or seek third-party contractors to maintain functionality. Moreover, depending heavily on one supplier, particularly one with a questionable track record, limits a country’s defense autonomy and exposes it to diplomatic pressure or supply chain vulnerabilities.

Given these realities, a strong case can be made for diversifying defense procurement away from Chinese sources. Importing countries should increasingly look toward alternative suppliers with stronger transparency standards and proven technical reliability. Furthermore, building regional defence partnerships and investing in domestic military industries, however incrementally, can create redundancy, improve bargaining power and ensure that national defense is not held hostage to the failures of one foreign supplier.

In conclusion, the intersection of systemic corruption and compromised quality in China’s defense sector poses serious long-term risks for military importers. While the appeal of Chinese military equipment may lie in its affordability, the hidden costs—operational, strategic and financial—are mounting. As China’s internal defense credibility falters due to systemic corruption, it is imperative for importers to re-evaluate their dependence and pursue more diversified, resilient and transparent defense partnerships.

Previous Story

Pahalgam: EU’s Moral Fog on Pak Terror

Next Story

Modi’s G7 Mission: Fix What Khalistan Broke

Latest from -Top News

Riyadh and Islamabad Forge Closer Military Ties

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan strengthen defence ties as shifting regional dynamics push both nations to seek new security alignments Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have deepened their long-standing military partnership by agreeing to

Piyush Goyal in US for Trade Talks

Goyal’s trip to the US capital follows the visit of the US team of officials to Delhi on September 16….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was

Islamabad’s Costly CPEC Gamble

Pakistan owes over $7.5B for power plants and nearly $2B in unpaid bills to Chinese energy firms, the article notes. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), once hailed by Islamabad as a game-changing

Jaishankar, Rubio Meet Amid H-1B Row

This marks the third in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio this year. …reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New

Jaishankar, Philippines FM Hold Talks in US

Both leaders discussed cooperation between India and the Philippines in the UN and the Indo-Pacific region…reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met the Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Judicial panel recommends probe into Sasikala over Jaya’s death

The Justice Arumugasamy Commission questioned why the then Chief Minister

Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed in Afghanistan

A resident of Delhi, Siddiqui was on a reporting assignment