According to the November issue of Kanwa Asian Defense magazine, China has been increasingly active in promoting its weapons to the markets of Southeast Asia in recent years and has achieved notable success in this. In the entire region, only the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei are not recipients of Chinese weapons. All other Southeast Asian countries are currently armed with Chinese models. This situation became a reality after June 2009, when the PRC officially delivered 16 sets of FN6 MANPADS to Malaysia - and this was the first time that Kuala Lumpur directly purchased Chinese weapons.
Thailand received the largest number of Chinese weapons and military equipment. In addition to the contract for the supply of two patrol ships, in 2008 the two countries signed a contract for the transfer of technology for the production of MLRS WS1B with unguided missiles, as well as further modernization of the system and the transition to guided missiles. It is the largest missile technology development project in the Thai army. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have risen dramatically in recent years, with Cambodia and Myanmar also key consumers of Chinese weapons. Thailand became the first country to purchase the Chinese C802A anti-ship missile system with a range of 180 km. According to rumors, this RCC is now actively moving into Myanmar, but this information is not confirmed from Burmese sources.
In Myanmar itself, Kanwa continues, the most successful deal in 2009 was the delivery by Beijing of an unnamed number of MBT2000 tanks. Due to the customer's shortage of freely convertible currency, some elements of the sighting complex were simplified, but still these tanks are the most powerful BTT models in the region. In parallel, the PRC promoted T-96 tanks to Thailand, but due to budgetary restrictions, the latter was forced to freeze plans for the purchase of weapons in China.
In Cambodia, most of the artillery boats in the Navy are of Chinese origin. China exported at least two boats to Cambodia, one of them is of the P46S type, armed with a 37 mm cannon and an anti-aircraft machine gun, and the other is a high-speed boat P200C. Both are built at the Jiangxi shipyard.
In Malaysia, all Chinese weapons, except for FN6 MANPADS, imported directly, were acquired with the help of Pakistan. These systems included the QW1 / Anza Mk II MANPADS, which are already in service with the Malaysian ground army, as well as the HJ8F / C ATGM. At the Defense Services Asia 2010 exhibition (Malaysia), the Chinese delegation presented one kit for the integration of TH-S311 air defense systems, which was specially developed for the FN6 MANPADS. A key element of the modernization is the installation of a vehicle with radar, night vision and data exchange systems. As a result of the modernization, the FN6 can use target designation from the radar and be used in any weather. In addition, the FN6 MANPADS battery can be used against group targets. This system is currently being offered to Malaysia. Since 2008, China has been actively promoting the FN6 to the Brunei market.
In Indonesia, Chinese efforts to promote military technology have been successful. The navy and ground forces are armed with the Chinese air defense systems QW1. At the same time, the Air Force should receive the QW3 long-range air defense system, which is being exported to a third country for the first time. The Indonesian Navy is also the recipient of the C802 anti-ship missile system. The PRC's recent efforts to penetrate the Indonesian market look even more impressive. Indonesia is now expressing interest in the SY400 guided missile, with a range of 200 km, inertial and GPS guidance systems, and a 30m CEP. It is obvious that the countries of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, are very actively trying to acquire operational-tactical missile systems.
P. 2 previously reported that the Indonesian PT PAL has some experience in arming its ships with new missiles purchased abroad. There was information in open sources that the Indonesian Navy has Chinese C-802 anti-ship missiles installed on five FPB-57 missile boats of the fifth series. These boats were built in Indonesia under license on the basis of the German Albatros project, the standard armament of which was the Exocet anti-ship missiles. Chinese missiles on FPB-57 were put by one of the PT PAL units. It is allegedly trying to put Russian Yakhonts on Indonesian corvettes and frigates. Information about this appeared in May-August 2010. According to these data, the total number of purchased missiles should be at least 120.
Vietnam and the Philippines, according to the magazine, are the only countries where the PRC does not promote its weapons. The main reason for this is that these countries are challenging, along with China, the rights to a number of islands in the South China Sea. And with arms sales, China is pursuing a "divide and rule" diplomatic strategy in the region. In other words, using the formula of “being friendly to distant countries and exerting pressure on neighboring countries” and actively selling arms, China is trying to tie the hands of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Malaysia and China are in a territorial dispute over Layan Island, but the issue does not appear to be a priority for Beijing at this time.
It should be noted that Chinese arms sales to the region have triggered a chain reaction, particularly with the advent of long-range missile systems. For the countries of the MLRS region, WS1B / 2 and SY400 with a range of 180-200 km fall into the category of strategic weapons. Once Thailand and Indonesia acquire these systems, Malaysia, Myanmar and even Cambodia will inevitably be forced to purchase such systems. Cambodia also uses the Chinese Type 81 MLRS, and Russia is promoting the Smerch MLRS to Malaysia.
With the acquisition of MBT2000 tanks, the Burmese army became the second most powerful after the Malaysian in Southeast Asia. By strengthening its military ties with Myanmar, China can probably create new forces to contain India's influence in the region - and this for it is a key moment in the issue of arming Myanmar. This country is a strategic point over which both India and China would like to establish control. Nevertheless, in the field of arms sales, India loses to the PRC in almost all possible areas, the magazine concludes.
