The Chinese government has recently imposed new restrictions on the export of aviation and space equipment, effective from July 1st. The Ministry of Commerce made the announcement on May 30th, stating that any export of these items will now require a license.
The goal behind these restrictions is to protect national security and interests, as well as comply with international non-proliferation obligations, particularly regarding nuclear weapons. The items subject to export control measures include aircraft and aerospace engines, structural parts, equipment, software, and technology related to engine manufacturing. Additionally, molds and equipment made from materials like aluminum, titanium or alloys used in the production of superplastic materials are also subjected to these export restrictions.
Superplastic materials are crucial for complex manufacturing processes in aerospace, providing strength, lightness and durability for components like wings bodies and engines. These new export controls extend to technologies used in equipment development, manufacturing and usage including design drawings process specifications processing procedures simulation data.
China currently exports various aviation and space equipment including engine parts while simultaneously working on developing its own jet engines. However, the country still depends on foreign suppliers for critical components in its domestic aircraft production. The implications of these new export restrictions on the aerospace industry global trade are yet to be fully understood.
