Article Posted on : - Apr 14, 2009

A model of the China-made Sukhoi SU-35 fighter on display at the China Airshow 2008

BEIJING (PTI): A government-backed science group says many of China's homemade weapons systems are world-class, reflecting the defence industry's new confidence and underscoring its ambitions of becoming a major arms exporter.

Steady advances have produced a solid foundation for Chinese-made armoured fighting vehicles, missile systems and other weaponry, according to a report by the government's China Association for Science and Technology.

"In some areas, Chinese weapons have either achieved or are very close to achieving international advanced standards," the report said, without giving details.

Long reliant on Russia for advanced military hardware, China has invested heavily in its domestic defence industry in recent years, notching up breakthroughs such as the J-10 jet fighter and DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missile.

China already makes licensed versions of the Russian S-27 fighter jet, but claims to have mastered the technology to make its own advanced aircraft.

Progress has been spurred by the steady growth of military spending -- last year the budget jumped 17.6 per cent to USD 61 billion -- drawing concern over China's intentions from the US and neighbours like Japan.