China, Russia look to deepen military-technical ties

China and Russia are preparing to participate in joint military exercises during 9–13 August, an event that aims to support military-technical co-operation between the two countries.

The ‘Sibu/Interaction 2021' drills in Ningxia, north-central China – in which 13,000 troops and more than 400 military platforms from both sides will participate – are being held against a backdrop of expanding bilateral military collaboration.

In late July, China and Russia outlined a commitment to strengthen military-technology ties, with such efforts expected to be framed around a new military co-operation accord.

This anticipated agreement – reportedly under discussion – would replace a road map signed in 2017, but which expired in 2020, that was partly focused on supporting Russian exports and related technology collaboration.

Janes data shows that China's military imports from Russia increased after 2015, but are now starting to decline. (Janes Markets Forecast)

Contracts supported through this road map included Russian sales – signed in 2014 and 2015 – to deliver to China six batteries of the Almaz-Antei S-400 Triumph air defence system and 24 Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft. In 2019 Russia also secured a deal to supply about 100 Mil Mi-17 ‘Hip' transport helicopters to China.

These three deals supported strong growth in Russian defence deliveries to China between 2015 and 2018. However, the volume of Russian sales to China is now on a downward slope, and without new orders, or new areas of collaboration, Moscow's exports may decline rapidly over the coming few years. It is this decline that the anticipated military-technical accord will seek to address.

Janes