Chinese, Belarusian companies slapped with sanctions by US for supplying ballistic missile

The US has imposed sanctions on three China-based companies and one from Belarus for supplying components of ballistic missiles to Pakistan, the State Department said in a statement.

The recent move is Washington’s latest attempt to curb Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile programme.

Which companies have been slapped with sanctions?

The three companies that will face US sanctions include Xi’an Longde Technology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade and Granpect Co. Ltd from China and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant from Belarus.

These entities have reportedly engaged in activities or transactions that have contributed to, or pose a risk of contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use such items, by Pakistan, according to the US State Department.

What did the companies supply?

China, an all-weather ally of Pakistan, has been long providing arms and defence equipment to Islamabad to help the cash-strapped country advance its military.

Meanwhile, Belarus’ Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant supplied special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme.

Such chassis are used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles by Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), which is responsible for the development of Missile Technology Control Regime Category (MTCR) I ballistic missiles, according to a State Department Factsheet.

Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, supplied missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme that we assess was destined for NDC.

The other Chinese company, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd, delivered stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system to Pakistan.

Tianjin’s supply to Islamad was likely meant for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which develops and produces Pakistan’s MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.

With inputs from PTI

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