STOCKHOLM: Newly available data suggests that China is the world's second-biggest arms producer, behind the United States and ahead of Russia, a leading conflict and armaments think-tank said on Monday .
"With the increase of available data on these companies, it is now possible to develop reasonably reliable estimates of the scale of the Chinese arms industry," the institute said. Aircraft and avionics group Aviation Industry Corporation of China would rank as the sixth largest arms producer, with estimated 2017 sales of US$20.1, while land systems-focused China North Industries Group Corporation would place eighth with an estimated US$17.2 billion in sales, the institute said.
China's foreign and defence ministries did not respond to faxed requests for comment during a public holiday. Calls to AVIC, NORINCO and CSGC went unanswered and China Electronics Technology Group declined to comment.