The US State Department imposed sanctions on Thursday against a Chinese research institute and several companies for supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

In October 2023, Washington had similarly sanctioned three China-based companies for providing missile-related items to Pakistan.

Read more: Pakistan Successfully Tests the Shaheen-II Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile

Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had collaborated with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems, with potential applications for larger missile systems.

The sanctions also targeted China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment, and a Chinese national for transferring restricted missile technology equipment, Miller added.