You think China (or others) could not match Ukraine prices for armaments, for all but the old, falling apart stuff? Think again. That’s one reason (Russian style corruption is a bigger one) Ukraine is poor. Ukraine has a big arms industry, but is lowballed by others.
C [Your reply]) All the more reason to pull Ukraine into the Western sphere of influence, so that if need be, pressure could be exerted to head off certain sales. (This is unlike France, which is wealthy and powerful enough within the West to sell advanced arms to Russia, for example, if it wishes.) At any rate, the Chinese would be a lot better off learning how to do it themselves, from the ground up, as opposed to copying or buying old equipment.
I’ve dealt with many Chinese in technical / industrial and other matters, and most people underestimate:
How capable and smart they are, esp. when determined to succeed. They are incredibly hard working, too.
The rate at which they are adding Western trained engineers & technicians.
The number of Western engineers in China.
“The West” still has an edge in innovation, but it is shrinking, not helped at all of course by our Socialist policies that tend to stifle rewards for innovation. :-(
You are right on many points, but you misunderstand Ukrainian arms trade. They did their best at surplus market, and no, China couldn’t beat a $100 AK, a $15,000 T-72, a million dollar fighter jet or a $20 million carrier.