Sanctioned Sudan turns to China, Russia, Iran and North Korea for weapons
CAIRO — Sudan has reported the development of unmanned aerial
vehicles as part of a military modernization effort that is going forward despite U.S. sanctions.
"There are countries that are prohibited from selling weapons to Sudan,"
Sudanese Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Mohammed Hussein said on Sept. 1.
Hussein said Khartoum has turned away from U.S.-origin weapons amid an
embargo by Washington. He said military suppliers to Sudan now include
Belarus,
China, Iran, Malaysia, North Korea and Russia.
Officials have reported contracts with China and Russia for the
modernization of the Sudanese Air Force, Middle East Newsline reported. They said both countries would
supply platforms, upgrades as well as train Sudanese personnel.
Hussein said Khartoum has
developed and produced UAVs for the military. Hussein said the Defense
Ministry has overseen a UAV production line as part of plans to expand its
indigenous defense industry and bypass any international arms embargo.
Hussein did not provide details of the new Sudanese UAVs. He said
Khartoum plans to produce missiles and heavy weapons to achieve
self-sufficiency in basic armaments.
Sudan has succeeded in producing general purpose bombs for combat
aircraft as well as artillery shells, Hussein said. He said Khartoum intends
to also produce aircraft components and platforms.
The defense minister said Sudan has acquired sufficient technology and
expertise to fulfill its conventional weapons requirements. He said Khartoum
has the third largest defense industry in Africa.
"We are the number three country in Africa — after Egypt and South
Africa — regarding the manufacturing of military equipment," Hussein said.