Beijing building radar in South China Sea

AFP, Beijing:  Beijing is installing radar facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, an American think tank has said, in a move analysts warned would "exponentially improve" the country's monitoring capacities.
Satellite imagery of Cuarteron reef in the Spratlys released by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed what appeared to be a high-frequency radar installation, as well as a lighthouse, underground bunker, helipad and other communications equipment.
The photographs came only a week after US officials said China had deployed surface to air missiles in the Paracel islands further north, and with tensions mounting in the strategically vital region. "Placement of a high frequency radar on Cuarteron Reef would significantly bolster China's ability to monitor surface and air traffic coming north from the Malacca Straits and other strategically important channels," said CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Images of other small reefs nearby which China has transformed into artificial islands -- Gaven, Hughes, and Johnson South -- revealed other features identified by CSIS as probable radar towers, gun emplacements, bunkers, helipads, and quays.
CSIS said that while the earlier deployment of HQ-9 surface to air missiles was "notable", it "does not alter the military balance in the South China Sea".
But it went on: "New radar facilities being developed in the Spratlys, on the other hand, could significantly change the operational landscape."
Beijing claims almost the whole of the South China Sea -- through which a third of the world's oil passes -- while several other littoral states have competing claims, as does Taiwan.
The US has in recent months sent warships to sail within 12 nautical miles -- the usual territorial limit around natural land -- of a disputed island and one of China's artificial constructions in what it says is a defence of the right to free passage.
The Chinese military has already been using the islands to monitor military and civilian traffic electronically but the new radar installations "will exponentially improve that capability", said Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute.

 

Beijing building radar in South China Sea

AFP, Beijing: Beijing is installing radar facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, an American think tank has said, in a move analysts warned would exponentially improve the countrys monitoring capacities. Satellite imagery of Cuarteron reef in the Spratlys released by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed what appeared to be a high-frequency radar installation, as well as a lighthouse, underground bunker, helipad and other communications equipment. The photographs came only a week after US officials said China had deployed surface to air missiles in the Paracel islands further north, and with tensions mounting in the strategically vital region. Placement of a high frequency radar on Cuarteron Reef would significantly bolster Chinas ability to monitor surface and air traffic coming north from the Malacca Straits and other strategically important channels, said CSISs Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Images of other small reefs nearby which China has transformed into artificial islands -- Gaven, Hughes, and Johnson South -- revealed other features identified by CSIS as probable radar towers, gun emplacements, bunkers, helipads, and quays. CSIS said that while the earlier deployment of HQ-9 surface to air missiles was notable, it does not alter the military balance in the South China Sea. But it went on: New radar facilities being developed in the Spratlys, on the other hand, could significantly change the operational landscape. Beijing claims almost the whole of the South China Sea -- through which a third of the worlds oil passes -- while several other littoral states have competing claims, as does Taiwan. The US has in recent months sent warships to sail within 12 nautical miles -- the usual territorial limit around natural land -- of a disputed island and one of Chinas artificial constructions in what it says is a defence of the right to free passage. The Chinese military has already been using the islands to monitor military and civilian traffic electronically but the new radar installations will exponentially improve that capability, said Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute.