A Type 054A frigate and a Type 082II minesweeper hunter of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy are participating in an international defense exhibition in Singapore starting Tuesday, the PLA Navy announced on Wednesday. Chinese experts said that the move showcases China's defense capabilities and aims to enhance trust and friendship with regional countries.

The International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia 2025 kicked off at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore on Tuesday. The PLA Navy's guided-missile frigate Xuchang and the minesweeper hunter Chishui are participating in the event, with the Xuchang open to the public, according to a release on the PLA Navy's official WeChat account on Wednesday.

(A Singaporean official boards a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship during the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference Asia 2025 in Singapore on May 6, 2025. /PLA Navy)

The Xuchang, with the hull number 536, is a Type 054A guided missile frigate developed domestically by China. Equipped with a universal vertical launch system and regional air defense weapons, it has strong comprehensive combat capabilities in fields such as early warning, detection, anti-land, anti-ship, anti-air and anti-submarine tasks, according to the release.

Boasting the hull number 729, the Chishui is an domestically developed Type 082II minesweeper hunter with strong capabilities in minesweeping and route clearance, earning it the nickname "trailbreaker," the PLA Navy said.

This is not the first time that the PLA Navy has sent a frigate and a minesweeper hunter to Singapore for the expo. 

In May 2023, the Type 054A frigate Yulin and the Type 082II minesweeper hunter Chibi attached to the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command participated in that year's IMDEX Asia. The two vessels also conducted Exercise Maritime Cooperation 2023 with their Singaporean counterparts, according to China Central Television.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the Type 054A is among the world's leading frigates with first-class air defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities.

Deploying a Type 054A frigate to the expo can show China's capabilities in the defense sector and further expand its influence, Wang said, noting that the Type 054A is available for export.

Wang also highlighted that Singapore's proximity to the Strait of Malacca necessitates minesweeping capabilities to ensure the security of this critical sea lane. Other coastal countries would also need minesweeping capabilities to prevent potential maritime blockade through sea mines. That is likely why China is displaying a minesweeper hunter vessel, he said.

According to Wang, the minesweeper hunter can also function as a maritime patrol vessel, offering versatility for various missions and cost-effectiveness.

Zhang Junshe, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the PLA Navy's participation in the expo will help enhance mutual trust, friendship and peace with Singapore and other nations.

IMDEX Asia 2025 has attracted more than 200 companies from dozens of countries and regions around the world, intensively displaying latest maritime technological achievements in fields such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, shipborne weapon systems and ship propulsion systems, according to the PLA Navy.

(Source: Global Times)