US sanctions Chinese and Belarusian firms for supplying missile technology to Pakistan
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Washington: The United States has levied sanctions on three Chinese companies and one Belarusian firm for clandestinely providing missile-related equipment to Pakistan's ballistic missile programmes, including its long-range missile initiatives, as announced by the State Department.
The sanctioned Chinese companies are Xi'an Longde Technology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade, and Granpect Co. Ltd., while the Belarusian entity is the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Friday, "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."
Highlighting the US commitment to reinforcing the global nonproliferation regime, Miller added that the US would take measures to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern.
China, a longstanding ally of Pakistan, has been a major supplier of arms and defence equipment to facilitate Islamabad's military modernisation endeavours.
The Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant provided special vehicle chassis essential for Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme. These chassis serve as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles, developed by Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC), which focuses on creating Missile Technology Control Regime Category (MTCR) I ballistic missiles, as per a State Department factsheet.
Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited from China supplied missile-related equipment, notably a filament winding machine, intended for Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme. Such machines are capable of producing rocket motor cases.
Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd, also from China, supplied missile-associated equipment for Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme. This included stir welding equipment, assessed by the United States to manufacture propellant tanks for space launch vehicles, and a linear accelerator system used in inspecting solid rocket motors.
The State Department noted that Tianjin Creative's acquisitions were likely aimed at Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), responsible for developing and producing Pakistan's MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.
Granpect Company collaborated with Pakistan's SUPARCO to provide equipment for testing large-diameter rocket motors. Additionally, Granpect Co. Ltd. supplied equipment for similar tests to Pakistan's NDC.
