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Over 400 private enterprises to equip PLA

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-10-23 14:30

More than 400 private high-tech enterprises have passed an initial examination or obtained the approval to make equipment for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Ministry of National Defense said on its website, as reported by Xinhuanet.com.

In October 2002, the PLA set up a mechanism of competitive procurement for all makers. So far, the competitive procurement has increased to 25% of the total procurement items.

In 2004, a private enterprise in Shaanxi province became the first authorized to build light armored anti-riot vehicles for peacekeeping forces. As private manufacturers have advantages in technical innovation, they gradually turn to taking part in mainframe design, research and service work from producing components several years ago, according to officials from the General Armament Department of the PLA.