U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Firms for Alleged Missile Tech Supply to Pakistan

In a major move, the United States imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday for their alleged involvement in providing Pakistan with ballistic missile technology and components, a statement of the U.S. State Department said.

It says that the sanctions were imposed in alignment with the global nonproliferation regime. The sanctions come after Pakistan recently tested a “Ballistic Missile”.  

“Today, we are designating three entities pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery,” a statement read.

Washington said that these three entities are based in China and worked to supply Pakistan with missile‐applicable items. These companies include General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd., and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd.

These companies were accused of “having engaged, or attempted to engage, 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 missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan.”

• General Technology Limited: This company was accused of working to supply brazing materials, which are used to join components in ballistic missile rocket engines and in the production of combustion chambers.
• Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd:  The company was accused of supplying mandrels and other machinery, which can be used in the production of solid‐propellant rocket motors and can be controlled by the missile technology control regime.
• The Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd: The U.S. sanctioned it for supplying D‐glass glass fibre, quartz fabric, and high silica cloth – which are used in Ballistic Missile Systems – to Pakistan since 2019.

“The United States is committed to strengthening the global nonproliferation regime by taking action to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern.”

Entities Sanctioned After Pakistan’s ‘Ababeel’ Missile Launch

Notably, the American sanction comes days after the Pakistani military had conducted the launch of the Ababeel ballistic missile system.

This surface-to-surface ballistic missile system was first introduced in 2017. The first iteration of the missile had a range of 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) and could carry multiple warheads with multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).

In comparison, the American Cold-era intercontinental ballistic missile Minuteman had an operational range of 4,300 miles.

Pakistan’s Nuclear Power

It is to be noted that in 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test. It made it the 7th nation to do so. Although the exact yields of its weapons remain undisclosed, estimates suggest their range may be 5 to 12 kilotons, potentially reaching 40 kt for long-range ballistic missiles. Pakistan’s nuclear policy is characterized by “minimum credible deterrence” against India and a “no first use” policy with non-nuclear states.