China Deploys Advanced Radar Near Myanmar Border, Heightening Security Concerns for India
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): China has deployed a new Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province, near the Myanmar border, significantly boosting its surveillance capabilities over India. Reports suggest that the radar has a range exceeding 5,000 km, enabling it to monitor deep into Indian territory and track missile tests. Unlike traditional radar systems, LPARs use electronically controlled antennas to scan vast areas almost instantly, making them highly effective in tracking multiple targets, including ballistic missiles, with high precision.
The radar system was highlighted in a year-end video sent by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to Chinese President Xi Jinping, where close-up footage of the radar structure was shown. The six-story-high radar, embedded with dozens of antennas in an octagon array, adds a crucial element to China's early warning systems and air defence networks.
Comparing China's LPAR to Global Systems
China’s LPAR is comparable to the US's PAVE PAWS, a Cold War-era radar designed for detecting long-range missile launches. With a detection range of around 5,600 km, the PAVE PAWS system is capable of tracking multiple projectiles, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Analysts believe China’s LPAR offers similar, if not slightly superior, coverage. The Chinese radar, which is part of a broader investment in phased-array radar technology since the 1970s, strengthens China's missile defence and early warning capabilities.
Impact on India's Security
The deployment of this radar in Yunnan raises significant security concerns for India. With a range of over 5,000 km, the radar can monitor missile tests from India's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, which is used for testing strategic weapons such as the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile and the K-4 submarine-launched missile. This gives China a real-time intelligence advantage, allowing it to analyze missile launch patterns, speeds, and trajectories.
Moreover, the radar enhances China's surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait, two critical maritime zones for India’s naval operations and trade routes. The Yunnan-based radar adds to China’s existing radar systems in Korla and Xinjiang, which already monitor northern India. This expansion of surveillance increases pressure on India’s missile and defence strategies.
Chinese Military Readiness
In January, senior Chinese military officials emphasized the importance of enhanced combat preparedness, citing military tensions in multiple regions, including the border with India and the Taiwan Strait. The deployment of the Yunnan-based LPAR is part of China’s broader effort to strengthen its military readiness and expand its surveillance capabilities.
India now faces heightened scrutiny over its missile tests and defence strategies as China continues to enhance its technological edge in monitoring and tracking.
