Chinese land, air and navy participation to DSA 2018.

DSA 2018 saw China display many products intended for the Southeast Asian market. However the military sales to Malaysia are still very modest, Chinese expectations are high. And the region is regarded as very promising.

Chinese exhibition zone at DSA 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense organized a delegation comprising five Chinese defense firms, including China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co., Ltd. (CSOC), which is in charge of building the first two Littoral Mission Ships (LMSs) for Malaysia who has purchased four units. Both Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Malaysian Navy chief Ahmad Kamarulzaman visited the pavilion to see the LMS model.

The LMS contract was signed between China and Malaysia in May last year, when Najib paid a state visit to China. Under the contract, China will help build the first two, while the remaining pair will be built by Malaysian defense firm Boustead Heavy Industries via technology transfer.
Liu said that the building working for the first two LMSs are expected to begin in July. The arrangement of weapons and equipment on an LMS can be adjusted to clients' requirements, said a product description provided by CSOC.

In fact, China displayed scale models of all kinds of ships and vessels, including submarines and its first aircraft carrier, the “Liaoning”. "We are here to promote different types of submarines, with their displacement ranging from 200 tons to 2,600 tons," CSOC deputy general manager Liu Song told Xinhua at the show.

As for surface warships, he highlighted both corvettes, with a displacement from 1,400 tons to 4,000 tons. Liu also mentioned radar systems, torpedoes, naval mines, bateau bridges used by land forces as well as weaponry systems for individual soldiers.

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) displayed a model of VT4 main battle tank, which was bought in larhe number by the Thai military. Aside from the tank, NORINCO also showcased the Sky Dragon 50 surface-to-air missile system, multiple launch rocket system AR3 and an anti-ship missile called TL-7B.

ALIT showcased its LY-80 air defense missile system, WS-3A precision guided multiple launch rocket system and the renowned CH-4A/4B UAV system.