Reader Keith O'Leary pointed me to this bit from a BBC story on the big Defence Systems Equipment International arms fair in London:

But the UK brand is a huge bonus when it comes to finding customers abroad.

If it is used by UK forces, that puts you ahead of the competition straight away," says Chris Pugh-Bevan of Bridgend-based Irvin-GQ, whose 350 workers make parachute systems, aerial delivery systems and search-and-rescue equipment.

...Indeed, there are plenty of companies displaying their wares at DSEI that hail from countries not known for their strict arms control regimes.

British companies, meanwhile, are subject to export controls and look mainly to Nato and Commonwealth countries to make their pitch.

That does not stop them from getting excited when the delegation from the People's Republic of China makes an appearance.

The Irvin-GQ stand is suddenly the centre of interest as a gaggle of Chinese generals arrives.

"We have been working with the Chinese for 18 months now," says Mr Pugh-Bevan, "they are interested in our parachutes and aerial delivery platforms."

But what about the EU ban on arms exports to China?

"Yes," he confirms, "our products are subject to an export license... so right now we just exchange brochures, talk and drink a lot of Chinese alcohol."

You don't spend a year and a half boozing it up with the the PLA unless you think there's a strong possibility your government will eventually approve a defense export to the Chinese military, no matter what the poorly-termed EU "arms embargo" might appear to say.