Explaining and Influencing Chinese Arms Transfers

Abstract

In July 1987, the United States began Persian Gulf escort operations for reflagged Kuwaiti tankers to guarantee safe passage through vital international shipping lanes threatened by the escalating Iran-Iraq War. The task was complicated for the American Navy by Iran's deployment of shore batteries of Chinese-manufactured HY-2 Silkworm antiship missiles (AShMs). Washington negotiated with Beijing, seeking to deny further antiship missile deliveries to Teheran. Although an understanding was reached in March of the next year, the "Silkworm controversy" marked a watershed in Sino-American relations Henceforth, disagreements over arms transfer issues were to prove a recurring source of bilateral friction.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA421850

Entities

People

  • Karl W. Eikenberry

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Ship Missiles
  • Anti-Tank Missiles
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Arms Control
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Equipment
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Rockets
  • Treaties
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security