China as a nation is second only to the US in terms of its Defense Space Capability. Recently, the US has stated that China’s space threat is growing at a “breathtaking pace”.
Chinese Electronic Intelligence Capability
China has two island chains, the First Island Chain and the Second Island Chain. Due to its Geography, most of the Chinese assets are land-based and airborne. ELINT stands for Electronic Intelligence obtained through electronic sensors.
China’s electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities include intercepting electromagnetic radiation and identifying and locating communications transmissions. ELINT works with imagery sensors, especially space-based SAR, for strategic and naval reconnaissance.
Prof S Chandrashekhar, Former NIAS, explains saying, “A nation’s capability and vulnerability is largely determined by its geography. Complex Systems behave Counter Intuitively. Instead of worrying about technology we should worry about the number of satellites we put into orbit. For that we need a very clear military and space strategy. Scaling up and organizational challenges are also something we should address.”
The Importance of Near Space?
Near-space flight vehicles are vehicles that can withstand harsh weather, UV radiation, and other tough environmental conditions. They also offer several advantages over Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and airplanes, such as not being constrained by orbital mechanics and fuel consumption. Near space is the airspace that connects the sky and space at an altitude of 20–100 km, where it is difficult for general civilian aircrafts to operate.
Group Captain Chandan Sharda (Retd) affirmed to the importance of near space saying, “Near Space flight vehicles are relevant to military operations. China has developed “hypersonic glide vehicles” that can overcome traditional missile warning and defense systems. We need to formulate near space development strategy. We need to collaborate with like-minded countries who are doing R &D in this field.”
Near Space is a hotly contested zone that could determine the outcome of future battles.
Growing Chinese ISR Satellites
China has over 600 satellites in operation, including more than 360 ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) satellites. The Yaogan series of ISR satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) vital to China has at least 54 for ISR and 46 for electronic intelligence. China’s persistent, GEO surveillance capabilities could help locate, identify, and track any naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Brig Anshuman Narang, Cdr Arty Bde, commented stating, “PLA owns and operates about half of world’s ISR system. Their ambitious LEO communication projects are yet to take off with VLEO PNTRC being the next step.”
China is also developing weapons and tools that could disable, destroy, or hijack satellites China’s outer space strategy also includes asteroid mining, developing a rival to the GPS navigation system, and increasing the number of satellites it already has. The Chinese space strategy’s ultimate objective is to empower the nation’s national power.
