Washington: The United States has announced sanctions on three Chinese companies and one from Belarus for clandestinely providing missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programs, including its long-range missile program, the State Department revealed.
The sanctioned Chinese companies are Xi’an Longde Technology Development and Tianjin Creative Source International Trade, along with Granpect Co. Ltd. from China, and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant from Belarus.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, 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.”
Miller emphasized that the US is dedicated to fortifying the global nonproliferation regime by taking measures to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern.
China, a steadfast ally of Pakistan, has been the primary supplier of arms and defense equipment to Islamabad’s extensive military modernization initiative.
The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant in Belarus supplied specialized vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. These chassis are utilized as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles by Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), which is tasked with developing Missile Technology Control Regime Category I ballistic missiles, as per a State Department Factsheet.
China’s Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited provided missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, which the US noted was intended for Pakistan’s NDC. Filament winding machines can be employed to produce rocket motor cases.
Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd supplied missile-related equipment, such as stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. These procurements were likely intended for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which develops and produces Pakistan’s MTCR Category I ballistic missiles, as stated by the US State Department.
Granpect Company collaborated with Pakistan’s SUPARCO to provide equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors.
