Four Chinese Research Ships In Indian Ocean; India Responds With One Ship, 11 Subs

COLOMBO (News 1st); India has issued a NOTAM or a Notice to Airmen with a long no-fly zone from 3rd to 4th April.

A notification by India for a no-fly zone over the Bay Of Bengal Region, indicates a likely missile test.

According to Indian media reports, the expected date of the missile test is between April 3 and 4.

Open-source maritime tracking data has revealed that there are not one but at least four Chinese research ships meandering in the Indian Ocean.

The four Chinese vessels have been identified as;
Xiang Yang Hong 01 - Chinese Oceanographic Survey and Research Ship
Xiang Yang Hong 03 - Chinese Oceanographic Survey and Research Ship
Yuan Wang 03 - Chinese Satellite & Missile Tracking Ship
Da Yang Hao - Chinese Marine Resource Survey Ship

In the latest development, Indian media said that India Positioned the research ship 'RV Samudra Ratnakar' Near the Chinese 'Spy' Ships.

All these vessels are positioned off India's eastern coast.

In a bold display of strength, India has deployed 11 submarines simultaneously in a strategic move aimed at signaling resolve amidst escalating tensions with China.

This deployment also comes in response to reports of China dispatching four spy ships to the Indian Ocean, purportedly to monitor India's latest missile tests.

This also marks the first such display of power by India’s conventional submarine fleet in three decades.

At present, the Indian Navy operates 16 conventional submarines, including five Scorpene-class submarines, four HDW submarines, and seven Kilo-class submarines.

All these developments come after Sri Lanka revealed it amended its previous stance on research vessels to allow them for replenishment.

Sri Lanka recently also authorized a German research vessel to make a port call in Colombo for replenishment.

The move drew criticism from China after Sri Lanka turned down Beijing’s request to dock a research vessel, Xiang Yong Hong 03.

There is also widespread speculation that the Chinese vessels will be making a port call at Colombo after Sri Lanka lifted its moratorium on research vessels.

According to reports, the stated objectives of these vessels include conducting hydrography and hydrological surveys to support future PLA submarine operations in the Indian Ocean region.

However, there are concerns that the presence of Chinese surveillance vessels off India's eastern board may also serve to monitor missile tests conducted from the Balasore test range.

(With Inputs from agencies)