"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.

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.