Satellite Images Show China May Be Building Powerful Radar On Disputed Islands

Source: Washington Post

By Simon Denyer February 22 at 11:59 AM

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=480
A satellite photograph of Cuarteron Reef in the South China Sea's Spratly islands, showing a possible high frequency radar installation being constructed by China on January 24, 2016. A radar system of this nature would dramatically enhance China's ability to monitor vital shipping lanes, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe)

Satellite images show China may be building a powerful new radar system on a disputed island in the South China Sea, which could have worrisome military uses in monitoring -- and potentially trying to control -- a strategically vital waterway, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Gregory Poling, head of the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, said the images appear to show a high-frequency radar installation being built on Cuarteron Reef, one of seven islands China has recently expanded through a massive land reclamation program in the Spratly chain.

[U.S. to have ‘very serious conversation’ with China over suspected South China Sea missile deployment]

"If it is an HF radar, then it would enormously boost China’s capacity to monitor ships and aircraft in the South China Sea," Poling wrote by email. "Cuarteron is the logical place for such an installation because it is the southernmost of China’s features in the Spratlys, meaning that it would be the best place if you wanted early warning radar to give notice of ships or planes coming up from the Strait of Malacca and other areas to the south such as Singapore.

"This would be very important in a Chinese anti-access area denial strategy that sought to reduce the ability of the U.S. to operate freely in the South China Sea, including bringing forces up through the South China Sea in case of any future crisis in Northeast Asia," Poling wrote.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/22/satellite-images-show-china-may-be-building-powerful-radar-on-disputed-islands/