China’s arms industry back in business despite disruption by coronavirus
- Manufacturers say they resumed full aircraft production in early February
- Pace must be maintained to meet military’s growing needs, observers say
Several subsidiaries of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) that make the PLA’s warplanes said on their websites they resumed full aircraft production on February 10, while aerospace institutes and naval shipbuilders pledged they would not let the coronavirus affect their production and scientific research schedules.
Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC), a subsidiary of AVIC that designed and built the PLA’s new-generation J-20 fighter jet, has a set target of producing at least 300 J-20s in the next decade, according to a military insider.
“Other state-owned enterprises like steel plants have also resumed production, and it’s impossible for the aircraft and naval industry to slow up production once the heat treating furnaces are turned on,” the person said, on condition of anonymity.
China’s Central Military Commission, chaired by President Xi Jinping, had ordered the arms industry to maintain production levels to support the PLA, he said.
Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said the PLA needed at least 50 active J-20s in service by the end of the year to match intended Chinese air force deployment in the Asia-Pacific region. Military experts estimate China has about 24 J-20s already in service.