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NEW DELHI: The cat-and-mouse game continues in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), while the rival armies are ranged against each other in eastern Ladakh. Another Chinese spy vessel has now entered the IOR ahead of another long-range ballistic missile test planned by India next week.
Chinese research and space-tracking vessel Yuan Wang-5, the docking of which at Hambantota in August had led to a diplomatic spat between India and Sri Lanka, is being closely tracked by Indian Navy after she entered the IOR through the Sunda Strait of Indonesia on Monday morning, defence sources told TOI.
The presence of the 20,000-tonne Yuan Wang-5, which is packed with large antennae, advanced sensors and electronic equipment with a crew of around 400, comes after India recently issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) with a long expanded ‘no-fly zone’ over the Bay of Bengal for a missile test from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast on December 15-16.
Sources said India’s most formidable missile, the over 5,000-km range Agni-V, which is in the process of being inducted into the tri-service Strategic Forces Command (SFC), is slated for a test at that time.
The first “user trial” of the three-stage Agni-V, which brings even the northernmost part of China within its strike envelope, in its “full operational configuration” was conducted in October 2021.
It now remains to be seen whether the missile test will actually be conducted as scheduled or be deferred. India can’t object to the frequent forays of such Chinese spy ships, which are under the command of the Strategic Support Force of PLA. All countries have freedom of navigation in international waters.
Chinese survey vessels come regularly to the IOR to map oceanographic and other data useful for navigation and submarine operations.
The bigger strategic concern for India is that China may use Hambantota for logistical replenishments of its warships and submarines in the future.
Chinese research and space-tracking vessel Yuan Wang-5, the docking of which at Hambantota in August had led to a diplomatic spat between India and Sri Lanka, is being closely tracked by Indian Navy after she entered the IOR through the Sunda Strait of Indonesia on Monday morning, defence sources told TOI.
The presence of the 20,000-tonne Yuan Wang-5, which is packed with large antennae, advanced sensors and electronic equipment with a crew of around 400, comes after India recently issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) with a long expanded ‘no-fly zone’ over the Bay of Bengal for a missile test from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast on December 15-16.
Sources said India’s most formidable missile, the over 5,000-km range Agni-V, which is in the process of being inducted into the tri-service Strategic Forces Command (SFC), is slated for a test at that time.
The first “user trial” of the three-stage Agni-V, which brings even the northernmost part of China within its strike envelope, in its “full operational configuration” was conducted in October 2021.
It now remains to be seen whether the missile test will actually be conducted as scheduled or be deferred. India can’t object to the frequent forays of such Chinese spy ships, which are under the command of the Strategic Support Force of PLA. All countries have freedom of navigation in international waters.
Chinese survey vessels come regularly to the IOR to map oceanographic and other data useful for navigation and submarine operations.
The bigger strategic concern for India is that China may use Hambantota for logistical replenishments of its warships and submarines in the future.
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