China’s Norinco producing synthetic diamonds for potential use in laser-based weapons
The synthetic diamonds
exhibited by a subsidiary of the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco),
one of the country’s principal arms manufacturers, at the 2019 China International Jewellery Fair in Beijing may also be intended for use in laser-based weapons, according to a 4 December report published by the Global Times newspaper, citing comments by Chinese military analysts.
While Norinco
is the principal supplier of tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA),
it is also a key player in the development of Chinese directed-energy weapons, along with Poly Technologies, which encompass laser- as well as microwave-based devices.
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