Chinese jets simulate blowing up Royal Navy warship in horror WW3 warning

By Jon King, News Reporter

HMS Prince of Wales was harassed by Chinese warships in the South China Sea (Image: Getty)

Fighter jets from China simulated missile attacks on a UK warship passing through the Taiwan Strait, according to a report. Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, was also reportedly harassed by Chinese warships in the South China Sea.

Frigate, HMS Richmond, was targeted in a "constructive kill" manoeuvre when a fighter jet carries out the moves used in an attack but doesn't fire a missile. HMS Prince of Wales was tracked by Chinese ships as it made its way past the Spratly Islands, a disputed island chain in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is a flashpoint between China and countries including the Philippines (Image: Getty)

China claims the islands and has built military bases on some of them despite sovereignty claims from countries including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

According to The Times, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Tidespring and the Norwegian frigate, Roald Amundsen, sailed close to one of the islands in a freedom of navigation exercise.

The exercise aimed to send China a signal over its claims on the islands and to assert the right of free passage through international waters.

Sub-lieutenant Rohan Lewis, an officer of the watch on HMS Prince of Wales, told The Times: "The Chinese were trying to harass us, four or five of them trying to get close. They tried to push us a little bit to see how far they can go."

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, which carries over £2.2trillion ($3tn) in trade per year. China also claims the self-governing island of Taiwan.

Britain, Australia and the US have sent warships to the two flashpoints in a bid to display their rejection of China's claims and maintain free navigation.

HMS Richmond is said to have sailed through the Taiwan Strait on September 12 when Chinese fighter jets reportedly launched their "constructive kills".

An officer on HMS Prince of Wales explained the pilots were pretending to kill them, following a path they would take in a real attack. The unnamed officer said the ship's crew was expecting a reaction from China, but were "confident" the pilots wouldn't fire a missile.

They explained dummy attacks are still beneficial as they improve understanding of how the other side operates when they target you.