Chinese missile and satellite tracking vessel the Yuan Wang V on Monday entered the Indian Ocean, days ahead of multiple missile test launches, including K-4, to be conducted by the Indian Army.
The Chinese ship can reportedly track the trajectory, accuracy, speed, and range of missile tests in the area.
The K-4 is the submarine-launched ballistic missile meant for the country’s indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
According to open-source intelligence expert Damien Symon, the Yuan Wang V is sailing near Indonesia. The expert, who runs a Twitter handle under the name @detresfa_, noted that India has issued multiple notifications for air exercise(s) and naval firing in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal for December 8-22.
On Saturday, Indian Navy chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar said that Chinese ships, including those of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, research, and fishing vessels operate in the IOR.
“There are a lot of Chinese ships which operate in the Indian Ocean Region. We have about 4-6 PLA Navy ships, then some research vessels which operate. A large number of Chinese fishing vessels operate in the Indian Ocean Region. We keep a close watch on all developments,” the Indian Navy chief said.
An earlier visit by a Chinese naval ship at a Sri Lankan port in November triggered a tug-of-war between India and China, as the latter accused New Delhi of interfering in Sri Lanka’s sovereignty by creating "external obstruction."