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Amber Wang

Hayley Wong

Chinese military hardware is getting plenty of attention at the country’s biggest air show this week, particularly from Middle Eastern buyers seeking to replace and add to their US-made weapons.
The biennial air show, which has been under way in the southern city of Zhuhai since Tuesday, has also provided a rare international stage for Russia to showcase its defence capabilities and products, including its most advanced stealth fighter.
The event runs until Sunday and has drawn visitors from the Middle East – including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran – as well as from Southeast Asian and African nations.
An employee of state-owned defence group Norinco, or China North Industries Group Corporation, said the Middle East “has increasingly turned to the East in recent years, and now we have more opportunities”.
The Zhuhai air show has been held since 1996 and is now one of Asia’s largest defence exhibitions – a chance for China to display its newest technologies to international clients as well as rivals.


Last time it was held, in 2022, the event generated US$39.8 billion in foreign trade, including both civilian and military sales.
Chinese defence firms at this year’s show have said their products feature better mobility, firepower and informatisation capabilities to meet the needs of the international arms market.
One military official from Iraq was seen inquiring about Chinese surveillance balloons in the exhibition hall on Tuesday.
“We are currently using a US-made system purchased 15 years ago, but this one looks modernised,” he said of the Chinese system, adding that its cheaper price would be a factor in their decision-making.
A representative of the company that makes the system, state-run China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, said this year’s air show had drawn interest from countries facing “real threats” – particularly in the Middle East and Africa – and the company was in talks with several foreign clients about potential purchases.
Among the hardware getting attention is Norinco’s new intelligent precision strike system.
“It’s especially needed in the Middle East,” a second Norinco staff member said, adding that the system’s development had drawn on lessons learned from the Ukraine war. “On modern battlefields such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, prolonged engagements often involve close-quarters combat where weapons like ours are essential.”
China was the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter from 2019 to 2023, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report in March. Pakistan accounts for 61 per cent of those exports. Meanwhile, the United States has dominated the Middle Eastern arms market, accounting for 52 per cent of the region’s imports in the same period.
Middle Eastern players have been balancing their traditional security partnerships with the United States with increasing cooperation with China.
Countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have diversified procurement of weapon systems like drones and missiles by expanding trade with China.
For example, buyers from Saudi Arabia, a traditional US security partner, were seen visiting Norinco’s exhibition booth, whose banner reads: “Norinco of China, Norinco for the world”.

A sales manager surnamed He from civilian counter-drone company Linkout said it was “particularly focused on markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East”.
“Our anti-drone systems are mainly intended for public security, air traffic control and government units, including in Malaysia, Singapore and the Middle East,” he added.
Saudi Arabia also has a prominent booth in the exhibition hall this year. A statement from Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, said it was their first “strategic participation” in the air show, without elaborating.
Beijing and Riyadh have boosted defence ties in recent years and China has been exporting more arms – missiles and drones – to the kingdom.
Russia, heavily sanctioned by the West over its invasion of Ukraine, has also taken the opportunity to put its military hardware on show in Zhuhai.
It was the only foreign country to take part in aerial displays, with pilot Sergey Bogdan demonstrating thrilling manoeuvres in an Su-57 stealth fighter in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet is also on display for buyers, the first time this has been done abroad.
Defence giants Russian Helicopters and state-owned United Engine Corporation, or UEC, had a central spot in the exhibition hall to showcase their products and technologies – right next to the Chinese navy booth.
UEC said it was the first time the company had taken part in an “exhibition of such a large scale”. Its fifth-generation 177S engine that increases the flight range of combat aircraft is making its debut at the air show.
Moscow’s top security official Sergei Shoigu visited the Russian exhibitors on Thursday, as well as Chinese companies like Norinco and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, and official booths including the Central Military Commission’s Equipment Development Department and the China National Space Administration.


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China's military weapons

Chinese military hardware draws interest from the Middle East at air show

The biennial Zhuhai air show is a chance for China to display its newest technologies to international clients as well as rivals. Photo: Reuters

Norinco’s Sky Saker FX2000C drone is part of the display in Zhuhai. Photo: Reuters

At China’s Zhuhai air show, Russia signs deals to export Su-57 fighter jet

A Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet flies during the Zhuhai air show on Thursday in southern China. Photo: AFP

China’s J-35 stealth fighter to be suited up for aircraft carrier service

The J-35A stealth fighter jet is headed for duty on China’s aircraft carriers. Photo: Xinhua

Swarming drones and counter-drone systems dazzle at China’s Zhuhai air show

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation displays an FK-4000 air defence weapons system (left) and FK-3000 at the Zhuhai air show. Photo: Hayley Wong

Counter-drone swarm systems are the highlight of this year’s air show at Zhuhai in Guangdong province, southern China, according to military analysts. Photo: Weibo

Zhuhai air show gives first close look at China’s latest stealth fighter, the J-35A

Ae J-35A stealth fighter is put through its paces at the Zhuhai air show on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

J-20 fighter jets perform in Zhuhai on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

The J-15T is making its debut at the air show. Photo: AP

News

China

Military

Countries have been balancing traditional security partnerships with the US with increasing ties with China


Countries have been balancing traditional security partnerships with the US with increasing ties with China.


China-Middle East relations

Zhuhai air show

Chinese military hardware draws interest from the Middle East at air show

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Countries have been balancing traditional security partnerships with the US with increasing ties with China

Countries have been balancing traditional security partnerships with the US with increasing ties with China