The China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSC) has entered a “strategic co-operation agreement” with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) to develop military technologies.
The agreement was announced on 11 December just a few days after CSC – also known as China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) – signed a similar strategic accord with CASC’s sister enterprise, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
The China Shipbuilding Corporation has signed a collaborative agreement with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), developer of the autonomous D3000 unmanned oceanic combat vessel (pictured). (Janes/Kelvin Wong)
Both arrangements are expected to be focused on integrating capabilities in C4ISR, unmanned systems, missiles, and advanced weaponry – the specialisms of CASC and CASIC – into naval projects undertaken by CSC, which dominates China’s naval shipbuilding sector.
CSC said in a statement that its new agreement with CASC, which was signed on 7 December in Beijing, will promote technological innovation, independent capabilities, and the joint expansion of aerospace and naval ship technologies.
It added that under the accord the two state-owned corporations will “expand new areas of co-operation in scientific research and production, industrial development, technological innovation, international business, skills, and culture”.
CSC also made direct reference to Chinese government ambitions to develop world-leading military and defence-industrial capabilities in China. “The two corporations will take this opportunity to… jointly build a world-class military, aerospace power, maritime power, manufacturing power, and science and technology power,” it said.
CSC signed a similar agreement with CASIC on 1 December. This accord was also aimed at supporting closer joint projects in military research, development, and production activity, with an emphasis on supporting programmes for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
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