The Chinese ship, Yuan Wang 5, has requested Sri Lanka permission for replenishment
New Delhi: A China ship able to track ballistic missiles and satellites heading for a Sri Lanka port has raised security concerns in India. The move coincides with the Chinese build-up off Taiwan coast that started with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit.
Here’s your 10-point cheatsheet to this big story:
- The Yuan Wang Class ship — expected to dock in Hambantota Port on August 11 or 12 — tracks satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The ship, which has a crew of 400, is equipped with a large parabolic tracking antenna and various sensors.
- If deployed in parts of the Indian Ocean, the ship may be able to monitor India’s missile tests from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.
- By tracking Indian ballistic missile tests, China will be able to glean information on the performance of missiles and their exact range.
- The Sri Lankan government has told NDTV that they will allow the ship to dock since it is a non-nuclear platform but are aware of India’s concerns. “China informed us that they are sending their ship for surveillance and navigation in the Indian Ocean,” said Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry media spokesman Colonel Nalin Herath.
- Indian government sources said they are monitoring the progress of the ship. India has made it clear it will closely monitor “any bearing on India’s security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them”.
