Russian weapons turned to junk on the battlefield, so what about Chinese

 

Russian weapons have performed poorly on the battlefield, and now they have even resorted to using ammunition supplied by North Korea. It’s worth noting that North Korea’s military industry was established with assistance from the former Soviet Union. However, the quality and performance of North Korean-produced military products are generally subpar and not internationally renowned. Even today, most of North Korea’s so-called air and naval equipment consists of outdated weaponry provided by the Soviet Union in the last century. Surprisingly, during last winter when the United States faced ammunition shortages, the Russian military managed to gain some battlefield advantages by utilizing millions of rounds of large-caliber artillery shells, rockets, and other ammunition supplied by North Korea.

The decline in Russia’s performance on the battlefield has had a significant impact on its arms exports. Once ranked as the world’s second military power, Russia has now fallen to a point where its weapons exports are virtually ignored. The main reason for this decline lies in Russia’s exaggerated claims about the invincibility of its weapons, which have been proven ineffective in actual combat. While China has relied on Russian technology for many years, the performance of Russian weapons has been exposed during battles. This raises doubts about whether Chinese-manufactured weapons are also subpar, perhaps even worse than battle-tested Russian ones. As one of the top five countries in global arms exports, China has seen an increase in both the quantity and quality of its weapon exports to developing countries, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Most of these exports take the form of military aid, often subsidized by the Chinese government. Although it may seem like a paper transaction, it still provides orders for Chinese arms manufacturers.

In recent years, China’s industrial capabilities and technological standards have improved, leading to increased international demand for some of its more advanced weapons. Unmanned drones, anti-ship missiles, long-range rocket artillery, and self-propelled guns have garnered significant orders. Geopolitical factors have also influenced arms sales to certain Middle Eastern countries, despite limited quantities of expensive strategic weapons. China itself faces restrictions on advanced military technology exports due to Western arms embargoes. As a result, China collaborates with Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and other countries to acquire limited advanced technologies, sometimes through unconventional means.

While South Korea and Turkey have emerged as rising arms exporters due to their advanced capabilities, China’s share of the international arms market remains relatively small. Furthermore, China’s pro-Russian stance has further complicated its arms exports. Despite its position as a major industrial nation, China cannot be compared to the former Soviet Union or Russia in terms of industrial capacity. It would struggle to independently sustain a medium-scale, limited-duration conflict without relying on external partners. Russia faces a critical challenge due to Western technological advantages and Ukraine’s highly skilled tactical use of weapons. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significantly higher battlefield losses than anticipated, even with full-scale mobilization. Once the inherited Soviet equipment is depleted, Russia will face military defeat.

China’s advantage lies in traditional weapon production, where it excels in both quality and quantity. China is one of the few countries capable of producing a wide range of military equipment, including missiles, satellites, and more. However, its advanced weapons fall short when compared to Western standards. Evaluating China’s weapons depends on the nature of the conflict. For limited regional wars dominated by mechanized and electronic warfare, China’s weapons can hold their own, leveraging their numerical and variety advantages. However, in high-intensity, high-tech, and multi-domain conflicts, China’s weapons are inadequate. While China’s overall military technology is considered moderate on the international stage, it still lags significantly behind Western countries.

The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has seen Ukraine integrate AI into traditional and electronic warfare, resulting in a unique combination of familiar and entirely novel combat tactics. This comprehensive approach, guided by AI, precisely calculates every aspect of warfare, from weaponry to personnel utilization. China’s weapons, which were never considered cutting-edge, have seen inflated export numbers over the years. While they can meet daily military needs, their advanced capabilities fall short. As AI continues to advance, Western military technology will make further breakthroughs, leaving China’s advanced weapons even more marginalized. The technological gap will widen. Therefore, while Russia’s depleted equipment signals the end of the conflict, China, if it avoids launching external wars, can still manage its defense needs with its existing arsenal.