Mariusz Kamiński, a Law and Justice (PiS) MEP and former interior minister, pointed out on X that an arms factory is being built in Belarus to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. The investment is being carried out in cooperation with a Chinese state-owned company.
“Beijing’s involvement in the war is steadily increasing. In a question addressed to the Vice-President of the Commission, I highlight the threats involved and ask — what does the European Commission intend to do about it?” Mariusz Kamiński wrote on X.
Weapons for Export to Russia
He referred to reports by the Japanese daily Nikkei Asia, which state that the Chinese state-owned company China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation is involved in building a production line in Belarus for 122 mm rocket warhead components. The contract with the Belarusian state-owned plant ZTEM was signed in December 2023. It covers design, equipment delivery, technical documentation, and staff training.
The new production line is to manufacture warhead components (including the stage of filling them with explosive materials such as TNT) for 122 mm rockets — precisely the type of ammunition Russia uses extensively in its war against Ukraine (BM-21 Grad systems and similar platforms). The planned production capacity is the equivalent of approximately 120,000 rounds per year once fully operational. Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, and Chinese specialists are expected to supervise the first 500 units and train Belarusian personnel. According to media reports, the specifications indicate that the weapons are intended for export to Russia,” Kamiński wrote in a letter addressed to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The Japanese newspaper’s publication includes photocopies of documents related to contracts between Belarusian companies concerning rocket warheads. Some of the documents suggest that the Chinese state-owned enterprise may benefit from assistance linked to weapons production.