China's Largest Arms-Producing Companies

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released new data which suggests that China is the world's second-largest arms producer behind the United States. In the past, it has been difficult to paint an accurate picture of Chinese arms revenue due to a lack of transpareny and SIPRI focused on four companies for its latest report. It also quoted Béraud-Sudreau and Nouwens who have estimated the revnue of eight major Chinese firms. The following infographic focuses on those companies, showing that the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) recorded the highest estimated revenue levels in 2017 at $22.4 billion.

AVIC and its subsidiaries have developed most of the military aircraft in China's inventory. That includes the J-11 based on the Soviet-designed SU-27 Flanker fighter jet which was produced by subsidiary Shenyang as well as the indigenous J-10 fighter developed by Chengdu. The latter also jointly developed the JF-Thunder fighter jet with the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex which is in active service with the Pakistani Air Force. The China North and South Industries Group Corporation came second and third on the list with just under $14 billion each. The former is better known as NORINCO and it produces everything from riot control equipment to assault rifles and armoured vehicles.