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Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Hidden Chinese vessel spotted 120 NM from Indian waters in Bay of Bengal
A 'hidden' Chinese research vessel operating in the Bay of Bengal was flagged by French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs earlier this week, raising concerns over Beijing's growing maritime footprint in the region. Unseenlabs, which specialises in radio frequency (RF) satellite surveillance, tracked the vessel during a 16-day monitoring mission. The ship reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS)—a common method of evading detection—while conducting suspected underwater reconnaissance. 'While not broadcasting AIS, its RF signature was consistent and traceable, enabling our systems to monitor its movement over several days,' the firm stated in its report. 'We suspect that this prominent Chinese research vessel was likely operating with strategic intent.' Of the 1,897 ships monitored during the mission, nearly 10 per cent—including the Chinese vessel—were found operating without active AIS signals. Possible underwater reconnaissance near Indian EEZ Unseenlabs indicated that the vessel's activities appeared to include seafloor mapping, acoustic surveys, and the identification of submarine transit corridors—typical tactics in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and long-term maritime surveillance planning. Although the ship stayed outside India's territorial waters, it came within 120 nautical miles of sensitive maritime zones, prompting alerts from Indian defence authorities. According to The Economic Times, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are closely monitoring the situation, reviewing surveillance protocols, and may raise the matter diplomatically. Series of past incidents involving Chinese vessels The latest detection follows a pattern of Chinese vessel activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): March 2024: Xiang Yang Hong 01 was spotted off the eastern coast of India during an Agni-5 missile test. July–August 2024: Xiang Yang Hong 03 was tracked near an Indian naval submarine warfare exercise. March 2025: Xiang Yang Hong 01 returned to test high-endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), anchoring for three months west of the Andaman Islands. China maintains that its vessel operations near Indian waters are research-driven and benign, including for civilian and military data collection on routes to the Maldives. India reinforces maritime surveillance and deterrence The Indian Navy remains watchful. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Eastern Naval Command chief, has previously confirmed that Chinese research ship movements are under strict observation to prevent territorial violations. India is also accelerating investments in maritime surveillance infrastructure to ensure readiness against encroachments in strategic waters such as the Bay of Bengal.
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First Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Chinese ship caught hiding presence in Bay of Bengal: Report cites French maritime intel
The French company flagged a particular Chinese research vessel that was in close proximity to Indian waters and was constantly present in the Indian Ocean read more An active Chinese vessel was 'hidden' in the Bay of Bengal for several days near Indian waters and tried to stay concealed by switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a French maritime intelligence company has revealed. A report by the Economic Times has cited the company, which uses satellites to track ships in the high seas, saying that a 16-day-long survey of the Bay of Bengal tracked radio frequencies that showed nearly 10 per cent of ships operating in the region had turned off AIS, ticking off security concerns in India amid enhance China-Bangladesh ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The survey by Unseenlabs tracked 1,897 vessels during the period, with most transmitting legitimate AIS signals. However, 9.6 per cent showed no AIS activity, suggesting attempts to hide their locations. The French company flagged a particular Chinese research vessel that was in close proximity to Indian waters and was constantly present in the Indian Ocean. The report said, 'While not broadcasting AIS, its RF signature was consistent and traceable, enabling our systems to monitor its movement over several days… We suspect that this prominent Chinese research vessel was likely operating with strategic intent.' The French company added that the Chinese vessel's mission likely involved seafloor mapping, acoustic environment analysis, and identifying submarine transit corridors, activities that support surveillance operations and anti-submarine warfare preparedness. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard maintain close surveillance of maritime traffic near Indian waters and have consistently reported the presence of Chinese research vessels in recent years. In this instance, the Chinese ship was operating in international waters off India's eastern coast, about 120 nautical miles from designated military zones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Chinese warships and submarines are already active in the Indian Ocean, naval planners believe it is only a matter of time before Beijing deploys its aircraft carriers to the region.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Hidden' Chinese research vessel in Bay of Bengal
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A French maritime intelligence company, which uses satellites to track ships in the high seas, has pointed to a 'hidden' Chinese research vessel that was active in the Bay of Bengal for several days near Indian waters and attempted to hide its presence by switching off its Automatic Identification a 16-day survey carried out in the Bay of Bengal, where it tracked vessels using radio frequency emissions, the company found that nearly 10% of ships were operating without an active AIS, flagging off security concerns that has seen enhanced Chinese activity and signs of growing Sino-Bangladesh ties The survey by Unseenlabs tracked 1,897 vessels over the period, most of which were broadcasting legitimate AIS signals. However, 9.6% showed no AIS activity, indicating they were trying to conceal their its report, the company has pointed to one particular Chinese research vessel that drew attention due to its proximity to areas of recent naval activity and its recurring presence in the Indian Ocean."While not broadcasting AIS, its RF signature was consistent and traceable, enabling our systems to monitor its movement over several days... We suspect that this prominent Chinese research vessel was likely operating with strategic intent," it French firm further said the Chinese vessel's mission appeared to include seafloor mapping, acoustic environment analysis and the identification of submarine transit corridors, which can be used for surveillance operations and anti-submarine warfare Indian Navy and Coast Guard closely monitor traffic around Indian waters and have also reported a constant presence of Chinese research vessels over the past few years. In this particular case, the Chinese ship was operating in international waters off the eastern coast, at a distance of 120 nautical miles from military zones. While Chinese warships and submarines operate in the Indian Ocean, naval planners believe it is only a matter of time before Beijing deploys its aircraft carriers in the region.
