Who Buys Chinese Weapons? China’s Arms Exports in 2026

China was the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter in 2021-25, with 5.6% of global sales, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Pakistan alone took 61% of those exports, followed at a distance by Serbia and Thailand. China sold weapons to 47 countries in that period, from fighter jets and frigates to armed drones and air defence systems, but its share of the global market has barely grown in a decade.

This guide sets out who buys Chinese weapons, what they buy and what holds Chinese sales back.

Who buys Chinese weapons?

SIPRI measures arms transfers by volume rather than value, and its figures cover major weapons such as aircraft, ships, missiles and armoured vehicles. By that measure the United States dominates the market with 42% of exports, followed by France, Russia and Germany, with China fifth. About 77% of Chinese exports went to Asia and Oceania and 13% to Africa.

Pakistan: China’s main customer

Pakistan has become almost entirely dependent on China for major weapons, and China depends on Pakistan for most of its sales. Pakistan flies the J-10CE and the JF-17, which it co-produces with China, and is receiving Type 054A/P frigates and eight Hangor-class submarines. Its use of J-10CEs with PL-15 missiles in the May 2025 clash with India, in which Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian jets, was the first combat use of these Chinese systems and was widely seen as an advertisement for Chinese aircraft. Our profiles of the J-10C and JF-17 Block III cover them in detail.

Drones and air defence

China’s biggest export success outside Pakistan has been armed drones. Because the United States long restricted sales of its MQ-9 Reaper, Chinese Wing Loong and CH-4 drones were bought by countries across the Middle East and Africa and used in combat in Libya, Yemen and Ethiopia, as described in our guide to Chinese drones. China also exports air defence systems, including versions of the HQ-9 and HQ-16 covered in our guide to Chinese air defence.

What holds Chinese sales back?

Chinese weapons are generally cheaper than Western ones and come with fewer political conditions, but most of the world’s biggest arms buyers, such as India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Japan, either avoid them for political reasons or prefer American and European equipment. Chinese systems also have little combat record, and some buyers have complained about reliability and after-sales support. US pressure has blocked several deals, including in the Middle East. Meanwhile China’s own imports have fallen sharply, by 72% in 2021-25, as its industry has replaced Russian suppliers.

How does China compare?

The United States sells about seven times as much as China. Russia, once the second-largest exporter, has seen its sales collapse since the invasion of Ukraine, which has opened some markets to China. Spending on defence worldwide is compared in our ranking of the largest defence budgets.

Frequently asked questions

Who buys Chinese weapons?

Pakistan is by far the largest buyer, taking 61% of China’s arms exports in 2021-25. Serbia, Thailand and Bangladesh are among the others.

Where does China rank as an arms exporter?

China was the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter in 2021-25, with 5.6% of global exports, according to SIPRI.

What weapons does China export?

Fighter jets such as the J-10CE and JF-17, frigates, submarines, armed drones such as the Wing Loong, air defence systems and armoured vehicles.

Why doesn’t China sell more weapons?

Many large buyers prefer Western equipment for political or technical reasons, Chinese weapons have little combat record, and US pressure has blocked some deals.

Does China still import weapons?

Very few. China’s arms imports fell by 72% in 2021-25 as its own industry replaced Russian supplies.

Which Chinese weapons have been used in combat?

Pakistan used J-10CE fighters and PL-15 missiles against India in May 2025, and Chinese drones have been used in Libya, Yemen and Ethiopia.