Arms Show Reports

Chinese Dimensions of the 2007 Dubai Airshow
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on January 20th, 2008
Although located in a region of tension and conflict the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully deterred foreign predation by building modern and professional armed forces and by maintaining a broad aviation talent by hosting some of the world’s most competitive airlines. The UAE has also made itself a center of the region’s civil and military aerospace trade by hosting two of the most popular arms shows, IDEX in Abu Dhabi and then the Dubai Airshow.  The 2007 Dubai Airshow from November 11 to 15 proved a boon for the airline and military aircraft industry, with over $100 billion in orders registered for over 500 aircraft.

Chinese Aspects of Singapore’s IMDEX Naval Technology Show
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on June 20th, 2007
From May 15 to 18 Singapore hosted its bi-annual IMDEX naval technology show. One of this show’s highlights was the participation, for the second time since 2003, of a warship from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), to join the show’s Tour of Warships. This visit also served to symbolize China’s enhanced effort in recent years to complement its already decisive economic and political engagement of Southeast Asia with growing military engagement. In particular, China is for the first time in many years making a serious push to sell arms to its Southeast Asian neighbors, to parallel its strategic dialogues through ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum (ARF), its vigorous military diplomacy, and a more recent initiatives to undertake multilateral military exercises with ASEAN members.

IDEX 2007 Showcases China’s Productive Weapons Sector
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on March 26th, 2007
Abu Dhabi’s 2007 International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) arms show from February 18 to 22 demonstrated China’s increasing capacity to offer new world-class weapons and in an increasing variety. While IDEX also saw continued evidence of China’s outreach for foreign weapons technology, the growing trend is for China to now offer multiple choices of near world class weapon systems.

PLA Navy Carrier Update and Euro-Naval Notes
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on November 7th, 2006
The most important news to emerge from the Euronaval weapons show at Le Bourget field near Paris, October 23-27, was word that Russia had agreed to sell China two Sukhoi Su-33 carrier-based fighters, with the possibility of selling up to 48 or 50 of these fighters. These would arm the three carrier battle groups that, according to Chinese press reports, are on track to be ready in a little more than a decade. Should these fighters receive a maximum Russian upgrade, then the PLA Navy could possess fighters that in important respects would be superior the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F, the dominant U.S. Navy combat aircraft for the foreseeable future.

Chinese Dimensions of the 2005 Moscow Aerospace Show
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on September 12th, 2005
The 2005 Moscow Aerospace Show or “Salon” (MAKS) came at a delicate time. It coincided with two demonstrations of Russian military power. The first was a strategic nuclear exercise involving a ballistic missile submarine launch and a Tu-160 bomber exercise, with one bomber piloted personally by President Vladimir Putin. The second was an unprecedented combined forces exercise with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) called “Peace Mission 2005,” which allowed the PLA to test its decade and a half effort to build a modern military force against a true “peer” military.

Chinese Notes from AeroIndia and IDEX
February 2005
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on February 28th, 2005
An indepth look at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) programs obtained at two recent arms shows, AeroIndia in Bangalore, February 9-12 and IDEX, Abu Dhabi, February 12-17. Chinese armor, naval, missile and electronics companies were only at IDEX, traditionally one of their largest foreign displays. As a general observation, Chinese military modernization continues to accelerate in breadth and depth. Their general confidence and a growing desire for export sales impel the Chinese to reveal more systems previously kept secret.

Report on the 5th Airshow China
Zhuhai, PRC, November 1-7, 2004
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on December 13th, 2004
The November 1-6, 2004 Airshow China/Zhuhai Airshow is the 5th such airshow to be held in Zhuhai, PRC.This year’s show offered three main themes: 1) the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aerospace sector exhibits growing over-capacity and redundancy but shows no lack of government funding; 2) greater creativity is being derived from increased internal competition and industrial cooperation; and 3) manned and unmanned space programs are receiving greater emphasis.

Pakistan’s Long Range Ballistic Missiles: A View From IDEAS
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on November 1st, 2004
With the October 11 test firing of its Ghauri (Hatf 5), the Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command within about a year has test-launched all of its major ballistic missiles. Although exact production numbers for its major missiles have not been revealed, the latest launch cycle confirms that Pakistan has in place a two-tiered missile force based on short-range (SRBMs) and medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs). For Islamabad, its nuclear capable missiles are the ultimate deterrent to its larger and long-feared neighbor India. Pakistan has also used the threat of nuclear attack to deter a conventional Indian attack. Pakistan also enjoys status within the Islamic world for being its only nuclear missile-armed member.

Report On the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS)
September 14-17, 2004, Karachi, Pakistan
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on October 29th, 2004
A welcome relaxation in tension between India and Pakistan in mid-2004 has not included any reduction in their respective ambitious military modernization programs.Pakistan’s defense industries displayed their progress and welcomed current and prospective defense partners at their third bi-annual International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) from September 14 to 17, 2004.Held in Karachi, the show received very high attention from the Pakistani leadership and military.President Pervez Musharraf opened the event, and all the service chiefs were in attendance.This report benefits from interviews with many Pakistani military officers and corporate officials. The author is especially grateful for the insights of Pakistan Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat.

New Developments In Russia-China Military Relations: A Report On The August 19-23 2003 Moscow Aerospace Salon (MAKS)
Report for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
by Richard Fisher, Jr.

Published on October 7th, 2003
In August 2003 IASC Vice President Richard Fisher attended the bi-annual Moscow Aerospace Salon (MAKS) and produced a report for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.Illustrated with pictures taken at the show, this report offers new insights into Russia’s military relationship and military trade with China, and offers evaluations of some new Russian weapon systems.