Defence treaties are no longer informal understandings between states. In an era of reverse engineering, sanctions, and strategic mistrust, violations of defence technology agreements carry lasting legal and geopolitical consequences that reshape global cooperation.

China’s indication that it may pursue international arbitration if its Venezuelan contracts are disrupted highlights the growing role of lawfare in modern international relations. This article examines arbitration jurisdiction, treaty protections, sovereign immunity, enforcement mechanisms, and successor government liability through a legal lens.