Top brass of Pakistan’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DESTO) visited Beijing and held talks with senior experts of the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA). The discussions focused on Chinese assistance in developing Pakistan’s cruise missile, Babar, and related wind-tunnel technology.
CAAA is originally known as the 11th Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It was started as the Beijing Institute of Aerodynamics (BIA) and 701st Research Institute.
This was the first institute of its kind set up in China for theoretical research and aero-dynamics (wind) tunnel testing of missile systems.
The Institute attracted American sanctions in September 2004 under the Iran Non-Proliferation Act, 2000 on the charge that it had facilitated the Iranian missile programme.
A month later in October 2004, the Institute was renamed China Academy of Aerospace Dynamics in an attempt to ward off the sanctions affect.
