Norinco showcasing a model assembly line at a major defense event may indicate the company intends to expand weapons production overseas.
The state-owned North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) presented the model at this year’s Eurosatory, one of the largest global exhibitions of military equipment, currently taking place in Paris this week.
The miniature displayed the manufacturing process for several Norinco drones, including the BZK-005E reconnaissance aircraft—which is currently in use in Indonesia, Mauritania, and reportedly Sudan.
The assembly line depicted the production of parts and components, final assembly, and testing. A display at the Norinco booth also explained how the explosives and propellants used in the drones are manufactured.
Behind the miniature assembly line hung a banner reading “Norinco defence localisation.”