Are Western defence firms aiming at the Chinese navy in their promo videos?

Two Western defence companies appear to have Chinese warships in their sights, with promotional videos of their weapons systems targeting vessels that look a lot like those belonging to the PLA Navy.

London-based BAE Systems posted videos on social media on Wednesday for “game-changing naval weapons and launching systems” it said it was showcasing at a US defence industry conference last week.

One animated video simulated a naval base under attack. The base then launches missiles from containers on its own ships, hitting an unidentified enemy vessel.

Military observers said the enemy warship looked strikingly similar to China’s Type 054A, a class of guided-missile frigate considered the backbone of the Chinese surface combatant fleet.

Animation simulates a vessel targeted by a BAE weapon system. Image: Handout

The Type 054A is the first frigate in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) equipped with a universal vertical launch system and has also been exported to Pakistan.

South China Morning Post