According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, China is said to have exported 153 combat drone systems,between 2014 and 2018 to 13 international customers, making it the leading exporter of this type of equipment in the world. This number represents an increase of more than 1400% compared to the previous period. In addition, China is now the world's 5th largest exporter of defense equipment, overtaking the top quartet of the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom. During the period, China exported its Defense equipment to 53 countries (+12 compared to the different period), its main customers being Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Algeria.
And the outlook does not seem to be for a slowdown in Chinese growth in this area. The country now offers high-performance systems such as frigates and corvettes, combat aircraft, transport and helicopters, armored vehicles of all types, a very wide range of missiles and radars, as well as drones, at very competitive prices, and more than favorable payment terms.
If the new offers pose problems for Westerners, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, this is now also the case for Russia, with China not hesitating to position itself very aggressively among Moscow's potential customers. Thus, Beijing offered Laos and Bangladesh its J-10C light fighter against the Russian Y-130 training and attack aircraft, and the JF-17 in Malaysia.
If the West continues to bet only on its technological advantage to guarantee its markets against China (and Russia), the disappointment is likely to be rapid and painful. To fight against these countries, it is essential to use a different economic perception of the role and socio-economic potential of the Defense industry.