Chinese aerospace firms sign co-operation accord

The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of military technologies.

The state-owned defence corporations said in a joint statement on 18 January that the “strategic co-operation agreement” will support a stronger partnership in “aerospace power, technological innovation, and equipment manufacturing”.

They will also work more closely together in exploring export opportunities, said the statement. “[The agreement] will promote the modernisation of national defence and the military and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security and interests,” it added.

The statement also indicated that the agreement would support closer AECC-CASIC ties in financial issues – including “credit and capital operations” – but did not elaborate. Similarly, it made reference to opportunities for the two corporations to share resources on developing unspecified military technologies and platforms.

AECC, which describes itself as a “military industry enterprise”, was established in 2016 through a merger between several aero-engine companies formally owned by the Aviation Industry of China (AVIC).

The corporation, which operates 27 subsidiaries and employs more than 80,000 workers, is responsible for the design, development, production, and support of military and commercial aircraft engines for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

CASIC employs more than 150,000 people and operates one of China’s largest industrial and technology networks consisting of more than 500 academies, laboratories, and production units. The corporation’s focus is on capabilities including advanced weaponry, aerospace technologies, unmanned systems, and military space systems.