A Chinese spy ship has reportedly entered the Indian Ocean Region ahead of a planned test firing a long-range ballistic missile in the Bay of Bengal by India. The Chinese spy ship, 'Yuan Wang 5', is learned to be carrying a host of tracking and surveillance equipment.
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Sources told news agency PTI that the Indian Navy is closely monitoring the movement of the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking spy ship. However, there is no official confirmation on the ship’s activities.
This is the same vessel that docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port in August, sparking a diplomatic row between India and the island nation. India has time and again raised concerns that the Chinese research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' could be used to snoop on Indian military installations.
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Open-source intelligence expert Damien Symon on Monday tweeted: "Yuan Wang 5, #China's missile and satellite tracking vessel has entered the #IndianOcean region."
India recently issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen/Notice to Air Missions) about a missile test in the Bay of Bengal, according to the existing protocol. However, with the Chinese ship in the region, it is unclear if India will go ahead with the missile test.
Sources said the Chinese spy ship was last spotted in the Sunda Strait of Indonesia.
The Chinese ship’s entry into the Indian Ocean Region has increased concerns about the growing forays into the region by China’s military and research vessels.
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(With inputs from PTI.)