People stand near a model of ZDK-03 AWACS Aircraft at the booth of China Electronics Technology Group during an international defense expo in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 29, 2021. Egypt held on Monday the second edition of its largest international defense expo, EDEX 2021, with more than 400 defense companies from 42 countries, including China, showcasing their up-to-date defense products.(Photo: Xinhua)

The Chinese arms industry on Thursday wrapped up its exhibition of advanced weapons and equipment, including tanks, artillery, warplanes, air defense missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems, at the largest international defense expo in Egypt.

Under China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, seven Chinese arms trade companies participated in the second edition of the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX 2021) in Cairo from Monday to Thursday, aiming to promote China's advanced military weapons and equipment, the Global Times learned from the exhibitors on Thursday.

Exhibits include weapons for air defense, land-to-land attack and mobile assault, smart munitions, fighter jets, advanced trainer aircraft, drones and anti-drone equipment, military electronic equipment, network security and information engineering systems, as well as equipment for counter-terrorism and peace maintenance.

The M20 ballistic missile system, the HQ-9BE air defense missile system, the JF-17 series fighter jets, the L-15 advanced trainer jet, the CH-5 drone, the Wing Loong series drones, the ZDK03 early warning aircraft, the VT4 main battle tank, the SH15 self-propelled howitzer, a comprehensive electronic warfare system, an early warning and detection system and an anti-drone system were among the star items at the show.

The presentation attracted wide interest from potential clients and led to many business discussions, the Chinese exhibitors said, without giving more details or revealing any deals.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 400 defense companies from 42 countries participated in the EDEX 2021.

The arms trade markets in Africa and the Middle East have many of China's traditional clients, and African clients are becoming increasingly interested in China's high quality weapons and equipment, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Unlike Western countries that mainly sell second-hand, obsolete products, China is willing to provide advanced, brand-new weapons and equipment that are also lower in cost, Song said. "They can bring a huge boost to African countries' defense capabilities."

The militaries of African countries generally lack complete, interconnected combat systems, meaning that their military branches often fight independently instead of in joint operations, Song said, noting that Chinese weapons and equipment, like the early warning aircraft, can either bring such systems with them, or help build such systems.

The Chinese arms industry also participated in other international arms expos this year, including the 15th International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi and the 2021 Dubai Airshow.

When exporting weapons and equipment, China does not attach political conditions, and will evaluate the impact of the deal so it will not change the balance of military power in the target region, Song said.

China's arms sales aim to help safeguard the client country's national security as well as regional peace and stability, Song said.