Team Blitz India
THE United States has slapped sanctions on three companies based in China and one in Belarus for their involvement in supplying missile-related items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. This move comes as a stern action against proliferation activities concerning weapons of mass destruction.
The sanctioned entities, namely Xi’an Longde Technology Development, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade, and Granpect Co Ltd from China, along with Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant from Belarus, have been identified for their contributions or potential risks in advancing Pakistan’s capabilities in missile technology.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, these companies have either directly engaged in activities supporting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or have posed a significant risk of doing so. Moreover, the US is committed to strengthening the global non-proliferation regime by taking action to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern.
China’s unwavering support for Pakistan as a trusted ally has been instrumental, particularly in supplying arms and defence equipment, in facilitating Islamabad’s endeavours to enhance its military prowess.
Details provided by a State Department factsheet shed light on the specific contributions of the sanctioned companies. Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, for instance, supplied crucial missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, likely intended for Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC). This equipment is integral in the production of rocket motor cases.
The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant’s provision of specialised vehicle chassis has proven vital in propelling Pakistan’s progress in its long-range ballistic missile programme. Similarly, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd’s involvement included supplying equipment such as stir welding equipment and a linear accelerator system, potentially aiding Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in developing MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.
Granpect Company’s role was in providing equipment for testing largediameter rocket motors, collaborating both with SUPARCO and NDC in Pakistan’s missile development efforts.
