us-slaps-sanctions-on-chinese-firms-supplying-missiles-to-pakistan

The United States has announced sanctions on three Chinese companies and one from Belarus for their involvement in providing missile-related items to Pakistan's ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile efforts, according to the State Department.

 

The sanctioned Chinese entities are Xi’an Longde Technology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade, and Granpect Co. Ltd, while the Belarusian company named is Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

 

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Friday that these entities have been engaged in activities contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery by Pakistan.

 

The US is committed to disrupting procurement networks supporting such proliferation activities, he added.

 

China, a close ally of Pakistan, has historically been a major supplier of arms and defence equipment to support Islamabad's military modernisation agenda.

 

The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant provided special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, which are utilised as launch support equipment by the National Development Complex (NDC), responsible for developing MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.

 

Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited supplied missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, suspected to be destined for Pakistan’s NDC. Such machines are capable of producing rocket motor cases.

 

Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd provided missile-related equipment, including stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system, likely for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), involved in developing MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.

 

Granpect Company collaborated with SUPARCO to supply equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors. Additionally, Granpect Co. Ltd. supplied equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors to Pakistan’s NDC.