看到一段文字
The Chinese are not as likely to purchase off-the-shelf
weapons systems as they are military-related technologies.
翻譯是
中國比較不可能買現成的武器，而是想購買軍事相關的科技
想問的是 as they are....是指weapon systems嗎？

As they are (likely to purchase)...

got it! Thank you!