Chinese spy vessel in IOR, India may put off missile test

Another Chinese research and space-tracking vessel is now prowling in the Indian Ocean Region at a time when India is testing missiles in the Bay of Bengal, reports Rajat Pandit.

New Delhi: The docking of a similar Chinese spy ship at Hambantota in August had led to a major diplomatic wrangle between Delhi and Colombo.

The over 22,000-tonne Yuan Wang-6, equipped with large antennae, advanced surveillance equipment and sensors capable of electronic snooping, monitoring satellite launches and tracking trajectories of ballistic missiles, was sailing off the Bali coast early Friday. The user trial of the ballistic missile of the Agni series next week is now likely to be deferred.