The position of an arms producing country or region in the global arms industry is dictated by the relative level of its indigenous capabilities for independent defense-related research and development (R&D) and manufacturing. Tier 1 countries such as the United States are considered to have a techonological edge, based on their ability to innovate, over Tier 2 modifiers and adapters such as China and India. Progress in the Chinese aerospace industry demonstrates its rapid trajectory from copier/reproducer of technologies to adaptor/modifier, and, in some cases, developer and designer. Do these trends mean that China is on the verge of becoming a Tier 1 arms producer?