China “Deploys” Counter-Stealth Radar, Anti-Ship Missile Battery To Fortify Triton Island – Reports.

According to ‘the Royal Institute of International Affairs,’ also known as ‘Chatham House’ – a British think tank based in London, this strategic location is set to become one of Beijing’s primary signal intelligence bases in the South China Sea, reflecting China’s broader ambitions in the region.

Satellite imagery suggests that the Chinese military is reportedly constructing a new counter-stealth radar system on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, which would greatly enhance its surveillance capabilities in the area.

The presence of this new radar system at China’s Triton Island military base indicates that Beijing is swiftly advancing its intelligence capabilities in these contested waters.

Once operational, the radar will significantly bolster China’s signal interception and electronic warfare abilities across the Paracel Islands and contribute to a broader surveillance network across much of the South China Sea.

Chatham House’s analysis indicates that China is upgrading its outpost and potentially establishing a launching point for an anti-ship missile battery alongside the advanced radar system.

Similar counter-stealth radars, known as SIAR (synthetic impulse and aperture radar), have already been established to the south on Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands and to the north on Hainan Island. The development at Triton Island will fill a critical gap in China’s radar coverage.

Triton Island, September 2024: After rapid building work over the past year, Triton has become one of Beijing’s major intelligence hubs in the South China Sea, featuring new counter-stealth radar (SIAR) and suspected intercept signal buildings. Via: Chatham House

The report suggests that the airstrip is relatively short and narrow, measuring just over 2,000 feet long and about 45 feet wide. It could potentially accommodate short take-off and landing (STOL) fixed-wing aircraft, turboprops, light planes, and even helicopters or drones.

The purpose of this airstrip remains uncertain, but it could crucially boost logistics for military operations. In addition to the airstrip, satellite images reveal a large new work area that includes a cement plant, which could significantly enhance logistics on the most western inhabited island of the Paracel archipelago.

This development has occurred rapidly over the last few months. Previously, the Chinese outpost featured an observation station with two radomes and several large flags but little else. The island was also equipped with a small harbor and a helipad.

China took control of the Paracels from South Vietnam following a 1974 naval clash. (North and South Vietnam formally reunified in 1976) Since then, and especially after the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the surrounding waters, competition for control has intensified. In 2014, Chinese and Vietnamese maritime forces clashed near Triton’s waters.

The Paracel Islands chain, which comprises around 30 islands and over 100 reefs, banks, and other maritime features, has witnessed significant Chinese military developments in recent years. China’s expansion of facilities in the Paracels is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its presence and capabilities throughout the South China Sea.

Today, the South China Sea is dotted with fortress-like, largely man-made outposts established on various shoals and reefs, many of which were previously uninhabitable.

This expansion aligns with Beijing’s claims over nearly the entire region as its sovereign territory—claims that the vast majority of the international community disputes, leading to increased tensions with neighboring countries.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Woody Island is currently China’s primary military hub in the Paracels. It is equipped with extensive installations that include an airstrip with fighter hangars, naval facilities, surveillance radars, and advanced defensive systems such as surface-to-air and anti-ship cruise missiles.

Given Woody Island’s development as a model, Triton Island appears poised to become a critical asset in Beijing’s growing South China Sea intelligence and defense network.

This capability would not only enable the PLA to closely monitor Vietnamese military operations, including its Su-30 Flankers but would also extend China’s A2/AD ‘bubble’ over Vietnamese territory, intensifying the strategic tension in the region.

Despite strong trade ties and historical military cooperation, the territorial disputes between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea continue to represent a significant flashpoint in regional stability.

China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea will complicate the strategic landscape for regional competitors and heighten concerns among neighboring nations, leading to greater scrutiny and potential responses.

The American commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” continues to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims along with British and Australian naval forces, which have patrolled these waters for over a decade to contest China’s ‘nine-dash line.’

By following the Woody Island development model and incorporating advanced surveillance and defensive capabilities, China is creating a comprehensive military network that strengthens its territorial claims and projects power throughout the region.

China’s expansion has serious implications for regional stability and international maritime freedom.