US Convicts PRC National Over 10 Military Modems, Radios in Export Scheme
Updated
Updated · Institute for the Study of War · Aug 18
US Convicts PRC National Over 10 Military Modems, Radios in Export Scheme
1 articles · Updated · Institute for the Study of War · Aug 18
Summary
A US federal court convicted PRC national Dingwei Chen on Aug. 10 for trying to illegally export export-controlled US military communications equipment to China.
Between March and October 2025, Chen and an unnamed co-conspirator sought to buy 10 military satellite modems and radios for a PRC firm, which also pursued electronic countermeasure systems designed for the US B-1 bomber.
After a US subsidiary of a Swiss arms maker flagged licensing problems and its bank closed the account, the pair proposed paying with Tether cryptocurrency to avoid detection by US authorities.
The case fits a broader PRC effort to bypass export controls and obtain US and NATO technology, including satellite communications capabilities Beijing has prioritized after watching Ukraine use Starlink effectively.
Can Taiwan's domestic industry scale fast enough to build the 400,000 drones experts warn are needed before a conflict erupts?
Will international pressure force Taiwan's deeply divided legislature to approve the massive pending budget for lethal attack drones?
Why is the Philippines suddenly refusing to allow its territory to be used as a launchpad in a potential Taiwan conflict?
Smuggling, Sanctions, and Strategic Fallout: How U.S.-China Tech Export Controls Are Shaping the $100 Billion Battle for Military AI and Semiconductor Dominance (2023–2026)
Overview
This report traces the case of Dingwei Chen, a Chinese citizen who pleaded guilty in Utah to illegally procuring U.S. military satellite equipment for export to China, highlighting the sophisticated smuggling tactics used, such as cryptocurrency payments and complex transshipment routes. It shows how U.S. authorities responded with advanced blockchain tracking and major penalties against companies like Applied Materials and Cadence for export violations. The report also explores the broader impact of these enforcement actions, including supply chain disruptions for American robotics firms and the evolving regulatory landscape shaped by U.S.-China tensions and strategic policy shifts.