Iranian Weapons and Chinese Dual-Use Components Enable Houthi Victories

Iran International posted on 1 October 2026 an article titled "Iranian Weapons, Chinese Supplies Fuel Houthi Advance in Yemen--WSJ" drawing on a 29 September Wall Street Journal article (behind a paywall) by Andrew Barnett, Daniel Kiss, and Benoit Faucon.  

Iranian weapons and growing supplies of Chinese dual-use components helped Yemen's Houthis expand their territory and increase their ability to threaten shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  The Houthis rely on Iranian-designed missiles, drones, sea mines, armed fast boats, and drone boats. They build weapons themselves.  Chinese companies supply dual-use goods that can serve civilian and military purposes.

Algeria Increases Purchases of Chinese Military Equipment

 

Defence Security Asia posted on 25 June 2026 an article titled "Algeria's J-10C and KJ-500 Deal Signals China's Biggest Air Power Breakthrough."

Algeria is apparently prepared to buy Chinese Chengdu J-10C multirole fighters and Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft beginning in 2027.  This acquisition would make Algeria's air force one of the most advanced air powers in the region and challenge Russia as the traditional supplier of its air force.  

Min.com posted on 25 June 2026 an article titled "China Won a Large Order in Algeria, 24 Pterosaur 2, Frigates and Anti-ship Missiles Are on the List."

Recent purchases of Chinese arms by Algeria include frigates, missile systems, and drones.

Possible Chinese Supported Military Equipment Manufacturing in Egypt

 Modern Diplomacy published on 7 February 2026 a commentary titled "Egypt Seeks Chinese Defense Tech, Manufacturing Base in Cairo" by Nadia Helmy, Beni Suef University Egypt.

The author suggests that Egypt is seeking Chinese technology and assistance to manufacture locally advanced radar and missile systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.  Egypt sees itself as becoming a regional manufacturing hub for advanced military weapons.     

Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping and International Response

 The recent bombing by the US and UK of Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to continuing Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea has increased tension in the region.

By way of background, the Council on Foreign Relations published on 5 January 2024 a piece titled "How Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Threaten Global Shipping" by Noah Berman.

This provides a useful backdrop for the US and UK response to the Houthi attacks.

The Royal United Services Institute published on 10 January 2024 an analysis titled "Securing the Red Sea: How Can Houthi Maritime Strikes be Countered?" by Sam Cranny-Evans and Sidharth Kaushal.  

Published before the US and UK attacks on Houthi military targets in Yemen, this analysis looks at the targeting possibilities for Western partners to counter Houthi attacks, as well as the difficulties they would face in doing so.  

Chinese Arms Sales to Africa

The South China Morning Post published on 8 July 2018 an article titled "Everything You Need to Know about the Weapons China Sells to Africa" by Lee Jeong-ho.

While the title of the article significantly overstates its content, it does provide a useful update of the kinds of military equipment that China is selling to Africa. During the five year period 2013 to 2017, China's share of total African arms imports reached 17 percent, up from 8.6 percent in the previous five year period.