2007/10/15

By: Danielle McClellan

Well, even though accusations are flying all around, it is not yet clear as to whether Pratt & Whitney Canada have violated U.S. restrictions by exporting military items to China. The company sold their PT6C-67C engines to China for the use in civilian helicopters; however a new brochure for the Chinese Z-10 Zhisheng, an attack helicopter, has the same engine listed. If these engines contain parts or technology controlled by the ITAR, the company could face an enormous fine and negative implications for future ITAR-controlled exports.

The Z-10 helicopter is an anti-armor and battlefield interdiction, with the capability of air-to-air combat. The air craft holds air-to-air missiles and unguided rocket launcher pods. Observers expect that the helicopter will be mass produced, and will acquire numerous sales. Richard Fisher, the vice president of International Assessment and Strategy Center, warns that, “The chances are very good that the Z-10’s will be hurting Americans, either killing them on some future battlefield or attacking their jobs”. (Obviously, the former is a bit more painful than the latter-jb.)

According to published reports, Pratt & Whitney claims it had no idea that the engine was used for anything besides the civilian aircraft it was intended for. Some however, believe that the company knew, “Claims that P&WC had no idea they were supporting a military program truly beg credulity, China’s efforts to support the Z-10 through massive foreign technology acquisitions have been an open secret for over a decade,” Fisher alleges.

At this time, the company has not violated any Canadian export regulations and the U.S. Government is currently taking steps to gather more information to ensure that the company is not violating any U.S. exporting restrictions pertaining to the engine.

We all know that accusations flow eagerly from the mouth of headline seeking fear mongers like the proclamations of a carnival barker. Accusations make news, but it normally will be the facts that will determine whether the US Government will take or threaten enforcement actions against Pratt Canada.

Information available at:

SinoDefense.com

DefenseNews.com