China

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released today the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2018, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. One of the key findings includes the state of world's nuclear forces as of January 2018. "All the nuclear weapon-possessing states are developing new nuclear weapon systems and modernizing their existing systems" the report stated. The inventories listed in the table above show a small decline in the U.S. and Russian inventories, as Russia modernizes its strategic weapon's arsenal, and the US phases out some of the oldest warheads, under the nuclear disarmament agreements.

Two J-20 stealth fighters seen yesterday in Chengdo, China show a new camouflage paint that is likely to be used with the Low Rate Inintal Production (LRIP) batch currently being delivered from the assembly plant in Chengdu. These photos aired today on Chinese websites and twitter.

China's Defense Ministry confirmed today that it was pressing ahead with anti-missile system tests after pictures appeared on state television, depicting a successful missile intercept test conducted in 2010. Earlier this week Beijing released another video depicting an anti-satellite test conducted last year. The Aolong-1 (Roaming Dragon) spacecraft sent into orbit last month will be cleaning up space junk, other analysts suspect it could serve a military purpose.

The Chinese People's Republic Army Air Force (PLAAF) is believed to have received four J-20 jets, that have been tested and completed acceptance tests recently. The first front-line regiment is supposed to activate and receive aircraft by June 2017 and is expected to be combat ready by 2019.

China has tested a new version of the CH-4 "Rainbow" drone equipped with satellite control and improved EO payloads supporting HD standards. During the test last month, the weaponized drone launched AR-1 missiles which struck their targets at high precision, under operator command launched over a distance of 1,000 km.

China is setting up a conglomerate that will merge three aircraft engine manufacturers. The move is expected to improve China's indigenous design and manufacturing of aircraft and aero-propulsion systems. Though one of the biggest aviation markets, the country is still heavily reliant on imported engines for military and commercial aviation.

Russia arms exports remained stable in 2015, despite the sharp drop in oil prices, that has drawn economical difficulties in some of the markets Russia is active in.

China has begun construction of a logistics base in Djibouti, Chinese Ministry of Defence confirmed today; the base at the Horn of Africa will be China's first military facility overseas.

A specialized unit dedicated to detecting and dealing with small unmanned aircraft has been set up within the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The unit performs drills against a squadron equipped with multiple types of drones to simulate reconnaissance, infiltration or strike operations.

China continues its force buildup across islands throughout the South China Sea. A study compiled by Asia maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) unveiled new installations and preparations on a number of islands.

Updated satellite images taken by Imagesat Eros B intelligence satellite acquired by ISI on 14/2/16 reveal a deployment of Chinese HQ-9 (the Chinese S-300 equivalent) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system now positioned in 'Woody Island', previous images obtained by the same source on February 3, 2016 did not show presence of such weapons on the island. This deployment is...

The Lebanese Army received a shipment of Chinese weapons Friday, the latest in a recent series of international arms deliveries to help Lebanon contain the militants on its eastern border with Syria

Three Pakistani Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft will be taking part in the Paris Air Show opening at the Paris Le Bourget airport next week. This Chinese-Pakistani fighter jet will participate in the daily flight demonstration. It will also be on display in the ground exhibit.

China is offering to sell Jordan missile-firing drones to fight the Islamic State terror army. China has recently expanded its UAV offering to include armed versions. In the absence of alternatives from market leading suppliers in the USA and Israel, China and Turkey are both pursuing armed UAV requests from the UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Nigeria. According to press reports, some were already sold to Saudi Arabia in 2014.