Ships resembling PLA warships are featured in animations of BAE and Lockheed weapon systems
Two Western defense firms seem to haveChinese warshipsin their line of sight, featuring promotional videos showcasing their weapon systems aimed at ships that closely resemble those of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
BAE Systems, based in London, shared videos on social media on Wednesday highlighting “revolutionary naval weapons and launch systems” that it presented at a US defense industry conference the previous week.
An animated video depicted a naval base being attacked. The base subsequently fires missiles from containers on its own ships, striking an unknown enemy ship.
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Military observers noted that the enemy vessel appeared remarkably likeChina’s Type 054A, a type of guided-missile frigate regarded as the core of the Chinese surface warfare fleet.
The Type 054A is the initial frigate in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that features a universal vertical launch system and has also been sold to Pakistan.
Subsequent videos released during the following two days highlighted BAE’s flexible deck launcher.
“The launcher offers sailors a deck-based launching system that can be integrated into any platform with minimal setup and limited below-deck changes,” the company stated.
The American defense company Lockheed Martin also shared an online video on Thursday regarding a “long range anti-ship missile” (LRASM), stating that it was “designed for situations where the environment is hostile, the risks are significant, and the result must not be left to chance.”
“Engineered to detect, recognize, and target surface objects from a distance, LRASM provides enhanced durability and accurate attack power for challenging naval operations,” it noted.
In a 2 and a half minute animated video, fighter jets such as F-35s are shown flying over the sea and launching missiles at a vessel that looks likea Type 055, the largest destroyer of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
The The Type 055 serves as an essential escort and attack vessel.regarding aircraft carriers, and has been observed accompanying the Liaoning and Shandong carriers during multiple operations.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy currently has eight Type 055 destroyers in operation, with satellite imagery suggesting additional ones are being developed. It features missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes along with a hypersonic anti-ship missile, as well as surface-to-air missiles.
In a different animated video from Lockheed Martin, LRASMs are released onto a warship that looks similar to the Liaoning, China’s initial aircraft carrier, which became operational in 2012.
BAE and Lockheed Martin did not promptly reply to inquiries for statement.
The Chinese government has remained silent regarding the videos.
The Pentagon has historically considered Beijing as a key challenge and mentioned in a report from last month that the People’s Liberation Army’s “historic” military expansion has made the US more susceptible.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy plays a key role in Beijing’s efforts to modernize its defense, with the goal of making the PLA the top military force by 2049.
To prevent these developments, Washington is attempting to restore its shipbuilding capabilities and harness the resources of its allies.
General Song Zhongping, a military analyst and former People’s Liberation Army instructor, stated that Western nations are perceiving Chinese warships as adversaries due to the PLA’s advancements.
“This indicates that the People’s Liberation Army’s military capabilities and China’s technological advancements have truly been growing, which makes certain countries feel worried,” Song stated.
However, he stated there was no reason to worry, as “China’s military growth is not aimed at expansion but to ensure our national security and the peace and stability of the region.”
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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