US imposes sanctions on 3 China firms for supporting Pakistan's missile project
- In Reports
- 01:22 PM, Apr 20, 2024
- Myind Staff
The US has imposed sanctions on companies providing missile-related materials to Pakistan's ballistic missile programme. According to an announcement from the US State Department, these entities include three Chinese firms and a Belarusian-based company. The action was aimed at disrupting networks “supporting proliferation activities”.
The name of the companies are Xi'an LongdeTechnology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade and Granpect Co. Ltd from China and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant from Belarus.
These entities "have engaged in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday.
Miller stated that the US is dedicated to enhancing the worldwide nonproliferation framework by intervening to disrupt networks involved in supporting worrisome proliferation activities.
China, a steadfast ally of Pakistan in all circumstances, has served as the primary provider of arms and defence equipment for Islamabad's efforts towards military modernisation.
Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant supplied special vehicle chassis to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme.
According to a State Department Factsheet, these chassis are utilised by Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC) as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles. The NDC is tasked with developing Missile Technology Control Regime Category (MTCR) I ballistic missiles.
Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited provided missile-related equipment, such as a filament winding machine, to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme, which we believe was intended for the National Development Complex (NDC).
Filament winding machines can be used to produce rocket motor cases.
Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd supplied missile-related equipment to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme. This included stir welding equipment, which the United States believes can be utilised in manufacturing propellant tanks for space launch vehicles. Additionally, they provided a linear accelerator system, which the United States assesses can be used in inspecting solid rocket motors.
Tianjin Creative's procurements were likely destined for Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which develops and produces Pakistan's MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.
Granpect Company worked with Pakistan's SUPARCO to supply equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors.
In addition, Granpect Co. Ltd. also worked to supply equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors to Pakistan's NDC.
Image source: AP
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