Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5, which docked in the Southern Sri Lankan port of Hambatota on Tuesday, has irked India. While China claims it is a research vessel, India says that it is a spy ship. In fact, both these claims are true as the Yuan Wang 5 is a classic example of dual-use technology. It possesses sophisticated capabilities that can be used for a wide-range of civilian and military purposes. WION spoke to Aerospace and Defence sources to understand the possible capabilities of such tracking and support vessels.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chinese?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chinese</a> spy/“research”vessel (equipped with powerful, long-range radars , sensors) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YuanWang5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YuanWang5</a> entering the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hambantota?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hambantota</a> port in southern <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> , this morning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a> had been objecting to this ship docking in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lanka</a> , but Lanka budged to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/china?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#china</a> &amp; results are here! <a href="https://t.co/eXoWYqTYhL">pic.twitter.com/eXoWYqTYhL</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1559380052113965056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As a scientific vessel

During rocket launches, all space agencies track the path of the rocket to understand the mission's progress. In most cases, tracking is carried out by large antennas on land. However, during special launch missions(interplanetary missions or while using unconventional orbits), a rocket or satellite might not be accessible for tracking from the existing ground stations. In such cases, the spacefaring object would not be visible to the ground stations, and space agencies would place antenna-bearing ships at certain vantage locations at sea, to carry out the tracking. In most cases, such ships are placed at mid-sea locations where there are no ground-based tracking facilities available.&nbsp;

For example, during the launch of India's Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission, two antenna-bearing tracking vessels were positioned in the South Pacific ocean. Following the initial phase of the launch that was tracked by the ground stations, it was these ships that tracked the mission's progress while the spacefaring rocket was zooming in space, over the earth's vast oceans.&nbsp;

Given China's ambitious spacefaring activities and their ongoing construction of a space station, it is possible that the Yuan Wang 5 could be used for communicating with their assets in space and to support scientific causes.

As a 'Scientific Spy' and a tracking centre&nbsp;

In high-end technology, the lines between civil and military use are blurred. The data that can be collected for civilian use might be extremely useful for the military establishment as well. For example, any country that can make solid-fueled spacefaring rockets will also be equally capable of building missiles, as the fundamental technologies of both hardware are similar.

Likewise, the Yuan Wang 5, with a displacement of more than 25,000 tons, could possess a host of powerful radars, antennae, sensors, and related technologies that could be used for both civilian and military purposes.&nbsp;

The ship's powerful radars indicate that they can track and analyse the paths of rockets, satellites and even missiles. In addition to this, the Yuan Wang can conduct surveillance at sea, on land(as far as its radar can penetrate) and also below the surface of the water.

The water in every ocean has its own set of unique characteristics, and the precise data about this can enhance the warfare capabilities of a naval force. It goes without saying that the waters of the Indian Ocean have characteristics that are vastly different from those of the Pacific Ocean.

Several parameters, such as water salinity, ocean temperature, sound wave propagation in water, and so on, aid in understanding the operating conditions and making appropriate preparations.Possessing such data can also help calibrate existing sensors and technology for precise operation of various systems and sub-systems.

Gathering Electronic Intelligence

With advanced sensors, a vessel like Yuan Wang 5 can also monitor and record the unique acoustic signatures of enemy ships and submarines, thus helping Chinese warships identify their rivals at sea and beneath the surface. This is also done by gathering the signals emitted by mobile assets and military bases/facilities. Such methods help understand the deployment of enemy vessels, aircraft, and assets and can help establish a pattern of their activity.

What does this mean for India?

Given the long-range tracking capabilities of the Chinese ship, it must be noted that India's spaceport in Sriharikota, the missile test range in Odisha, and several other military facilities in the peninsular region could possibly be within tracking range of the visiting vessel, or those facilities could be tracked as the ship sails to Hambantota and back.

India is concerned about the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean region and the increasing influence of China in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka owes a significant debt(around 10% of Sri Lanka's foreign debt) to China, as several big-ticket infrastructure projects were built in Sri Lanka using Chinese loans. Meanwhile, India has provided close to $3.8 billion in aid to the island nation that is reeling under its worst-ever economic crisis.&nbsp;

Despite concerns raised by both India and the US, the Chinese ship has sailed into the Chinese-run Hambantota port in the island nation. The ship sailed in on August 16th, just a day after India gifted Sri Lanka a Dornier Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.

Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5, which docked in the Southern Sri Lankan port of Hambatota on Tuesday, has irked India. While China claims it is a research vessel, India says that it is a spy ship.

Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5, which docked in the Southern Sri Lankan port of Hambatota on Tuesday, has irked India. While China claims it is a research vessel, India says that it is a spy ship. In fact, both these claims are true as the Yuan Wang 5 is a classic example of dual-use technology. It possesses sophisticated capabilities that can be used for a wide-range of civilian and military purposes. WION spoke to Aerospace and Defence sources to understand the possible capabilities of such tracking and support vessels. #Chinese spy/“research”vessel (equipped with powerful, long-range radars , sensors) #YuanWang5 entering the #Hambantota port in southern #SriLanka , this morning #india and #USA had been objecting to this ship docking in #lanka , but Lanka budged to #china & results are here! pic.twitter.com/eXoWYqTYhL — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 16, 2022 × As a scientific vessel During rocket launches, all space agencies track the path of the rocket to understand the mission's progress. In most cases, tracking is carried out by large antennas on land. However, during special launch missions(interplanetary missions or while using unconventional orbits), a rocket or satellite might not be accessible for tracking from the existing ground stations. In such cases, the spacefaring object would not be visible to the ground stations, and space agencies would place antenna-bearing ships at certain vantage locations at sea, to carry out the tracking. In most cases, such ships are placed at mid-sea locations where there are no ground-based tracking facilities available. For example, during the launch of India's Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission, two antenna-bearing tracking vessels were positioned in the South Pacific ocean. Following the initial phase of the launch that was tracked by the ground stations, it was these ships that tracked the mission's progress while the spacefaring rocket was zooming in space, over the earth's vast oceans. Given China's ambitious spacefaring activities and their ongoing construction of a space station, it is possible that the Yuan Wang 5 could be used for communicating with their assets in space and to support scientific causes. As a 'Scientific Spy' and a tracking centre In high-end technology, the lines between civil and military use are blurred. The data that can be collected for civilian use might be extremely useful for the military establishment as well. For example, any country that can make solid-fueled spacefaring rockets will also be equally capable of building missiles, as the fundamental technologies of both hardware are similar. Likewise, the Yuan Wang 5, with a displacement of more than 25,000 tons, could possess a host of powerful radars, antennae, sensors, and related technologies that could be used for both civilian and military purposes. The ship's powerful radars indicate that they can track and analyse the paths of rockets, satellites and even missiles. In addition to this, the Yuan Wang can conduct surveillance at sea, on land(as far as its radar can penetrate) and also below the surface of the water. The water in every ocean has its own set of unique characteristics, and the precise data about this can enhance the warfare capabilities of a naval force. It goes without saying that the waters of the Indian Ocean have characteristics that are vastly different from those of the Pacific Ocean. Several parameters, such as water salinity, ocean temperature, sound wave propagation in water, and so on, aid in understanding the operating conditions and making appropriate preparations.Possessing such data can also help calibrate existing sensors and technology for precise operation of various systems and sub-systems. Gathering Electronic Intelligence With advanced sensors, a vessel like Yuan Wang 5 can also monitor and record the unique acoustic signatures of enemy ships and submarines, thus helping Chinese warships identify their rivals at sea and beneath the surface. This is also done by gathering the signals emitted by mobile assets and military bases/facilities. Such methods help understand the deployment of enemy vessels, aircraft, and assets and can help establish a pattern of their activity. What does this mean for India? Given the long-range tracking capabilities of the Chinese ship, it must be noted that India's spaceport in Sriharikota, the missile test range in Odisha, and several other military facilities in the peninsular region could possibly be within tracking range of the visiting vessel, or those facilities could be tracked as the ship sails to Hambantota and back. India is concerned about the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean region and the increasing influence of China in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka owes a significant debt(around 10% of Sri Lanka's foreign debt) to China, as several big-ticket infrastructure projects were built in Sri Lanka using Chinese loans. Meanwhile, India has provided close to $3.8 billion in aid to the island nation that is reeling under its worst-ever economic crisis. Despite concerns raised by both India and the US, the Chinese ship has sailed into the Chinese-run Hambantota port in the island nation. The ship sailed in on August 16th, just a day after India gifted Sri Lanka a Dornier Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.

Yuan Wang 5: China's 'Scientific Spy' in Sri Lanka; What all can it possibly do? 

A Chinese research vessel entered Sri Lanka's Chinese-run southern port of Hambantota Tuesday, officials said, despite concerns from India and the United States.

Yuan Wang 5, the ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, was allowed to dock at the Hambantota Port on the condition it will not carry out any research while in Sri Lankan waters, port officials said following consultations with India, the United States and China, reported AFP.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docks at Sri Lankan port of Hambantota this morning. <a href="https://t.co/hkO5N8suJ7">pic.twitter.com/hkO5N8suJ7</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1559391999702102017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Initially, the Chinese vessel was due to arrive last week, but Sri Lanka urged China to defer the visit following objections by India, which shares Western concerns about Chinese activities in the region.

But on Saturday, Colombo made a massive U-turn&nbsp;saying that they have granted permission for the ship to dock at Hambantota and remain for six days after intense negotiations.

India had raised concerns at the possibility of the ship's tracking systems attempting to spy on Indian installations in the southern region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-miffed-over-deferment-of-spy-vessels-visit-calls-security-concerns-senseless-504767">China miffed over deferment of spy vessel's visit, calls security concerns 'senseless'</a>

"We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by the Chinese&nbsp;vessel to Hambantota in August," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said earlier.

"The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India's security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," he had said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-research-vessel-given-entry-in-sri-lanka-despite-indias-concerns-that-it-is-dual-use-spy-ship-506483">Chinese 'research' vessel given entry in Sri Lanka despite India's concerns that it is dual-use spy ship</a>

Last week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called "security concerns" to pressure Sri Lanka."

"We urge the relevant parties to see China's marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop disrupting normal exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A Chinese research vessel entered Sri Lanka's Chinese-run southern port of Hambantota Tuesday, officials said, despite concerns from India and the United States.

A Chinese research vessel entered Sri Lanka's Chinese-run southern port of Hambantota Tuesday, officials said, despite concerns from India and the United States. Yuan Wang 5, the ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, was allowed to dock at the Hambantota Port on the condition it will not carry out any research while in Sri Lankan waters, port officials said following consultations with India, the United States and China, reported AFP. Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docks at Sri Lankan port of Hambantota this morning. pic.twitter.com/hkO5N8suJ7 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 16, 2022 × Initially, the Chinese vessel was due to arrive last week, but Sri Lanka urged China to defer the visit following objections by India, which shares Western concerns about Chinese activities in the region. But on Saturday, Colombo made a massive U-turn saying that they have granted permission for the ship to dock at Hambantota and remain for six days after intense negotiations. India had raised concerns at the possibility of the ship's tracking systems attempting to spy on Indian installations in the southern region. Also read | China miffed over deferment of spy vessel's visit, calls security concerns 'senseless' "We are aware of reports of a proposed visit by the Chinese vessel to Hambantota in August," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said earlier. "The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India's security and economic interests and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," he had said. Also read | Chinese 'research' vessel given entry in Sri Lanka despite India's concerns that it is dual-use spy ship Last week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called "security concerns" to pressure Sri Lanka." "We urge the relevant parties to see China's marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop disrupting normal exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Chinese 'surveillance' ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns in India

According to reports, the Chinese satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 will not&nbsp;be docking at&nbsp;Hambantota port as it won't be reaching on Thursday as scheduled.

Reports emanating from Sri Lanka said ships cannot enter the Hambantota port without permission. The development comes after India expressed concerns over the Chinese ships due to security concerns.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-defers-visit-of-chinas-satellite-tracking-ship-to-hambantota-port-504215">Also Read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka defers visit of China's satellite tracking ship to Hambantota port</a>

The Chinese vessel was due to arrive at Hambantota port on August 11 till August 17. The ship had reportedly set sail on July 14 from the Chinese port of Jiangyin. Reports claim Sri Lankan authorities urged Chinese officials to indefinitely delay the ship's entry into the port.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Sri Lanka urges China to not dock at Hambantota port

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-urges-china-to-not-dock-at-hambantota-port-504363/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports say the high-tech space and satellite tracking ship built in 2007 can also launch intercontinental ballistic missiles. India's foreign ministry had said earlier that it was "monitoring" the situation after the Lankan government announced it had allowed the ship to enter Hambantota port. The Lankan government had said the Chinese vessel was due to refuel and replenish supplies at the port.

As Sri Lanka sought to defer the entry of the Chinese vessel, reports claimed it had reached near Hambantota, however, the ship&nbsp;changed directions later. There has been no announcement on whether the Chinese vessel will be allowed to enter Hambantota port. The Lankan government had granted approval for the ship to enter the port last month, however, earlier this week the government informed the Chinese embassy in Colombo to defer the ship's arrival.

(With inputs from Agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

According to reports, the Chinese satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 will not be docking at Hambantota port as it won't be reaching on Thursday as scheduled. Reports emanating from Sri Lanka said ships cannot enter the Hambantota port without permission.

According to reports, the Chinese satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 will not be docking at Hambantota port as it won't be reaching on Thursday as scheduled. Reports emanating from Sri Lanka said ships cannot enter the Hambantota port without permission. The development comes after India expressed concerns over the Chinese ships due to security concerns. Also Read: Sri Lanka defers visit of China's satellite tracking ship to Hambantota port The Chinese vessel was due to arrive at Hambantota port on August 11 till August 17. The ship had reportedly set sail on July 14 from the Chinese port of Jiangyin. Reports claim Sri Lankan authorities urged Chinese officials to indefinitely delay the ship's entry into the port. Watch: Sri Lanka urges China to not dock at Hambantota port Reports say the high-tech space and satellite tracking ship built in 2007 can also launch intercontinental ballistic missiles. India's foreign ministry had said earlier that it was "monitoring" the situation after the Lankan government announced it had allowed the ship to enter Hambantota port. The Lankan government had said the Chinese vessel was due to refuel and replenish supplies at the port. As Sri Lanka sought to defer the entry of the Chinese vessel, reports claimed it had reached near Hambantota, however, the ship changed directions later. There has been no announcement on whether the Chinese vessel will be allowed to enter Hambantota port. The Lankan government had granted approval for the ship to enter the port last month, however, earlier this week the government informed the Chinese embassy in Colombo to defer the ship's arrival. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China's satellite tracking ship won't be arriving at Hambantota port: Report

Sri Lanka deferred a proposed visit by China's Yuan Wang 5 spy vessel amid growing pressure from India. China responded by indirectly accusing India of 'disturbing' its relations with Sri Lanka. Palki Sharma tells you why it's advantage India for now.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka defers voyage by Chinese spy vessel