China has constructed and commissioned a gigantic Large Phased Array Radar System (LPAR) close to Myanmar border in Southwestern Yunnan Province which could jeopardise the Indian Missile Program. This Advanced Radar System with a range of 5,000 plus kilometers will facilitate Chinese Surveillance Operations over most of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as well deep inside India which would be able to detect/monitor Indian Ballistic Missile Program.
Chinese LPAR Site in Yunnan is an Advanced Early warning System capable of detecting and tracking Ballistic Missiles launched within a radius of 5000 kilometers. This will enable China to keep a close eye on Indian Missile Launches from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island on East Coast, a site for testing Agni 5 and K4 Advanced Ballistic Missiles. This site at Southeast China Coast will cover the area between Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, a High Maritime Importance Region having a strong Indian Naval Force. According to Defence Analysts, such Radar can be used as a DEW Weapon as it would pump out Megawatt Range Pulses onto incoming Missiles that would fry anything electronic in those Missiles.
China has LPAR Sites in Korla and Xinjiang for Northern India and has now developed Yunnan Site for Southern India, thus, bringing entire India under her surveillance to monitor Indian Missile Launches and Military/ Naval Activities including IOR. Its strategic location allows China to oversee both, land based Military Operations and Maritime Activities in Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. This enhances her Early warning capabilities and Intelligence operations posing a direct challenge to Indian Strategic Deterrence and Defense Planning Activities.
Though vulnerable to Indian Fighters or Pralaya/ Rudra Missiles of IAF, Radar Site at Yunnan will cover distance upto Gujarat which is 3000 kilometers away and 2000 kilometers further going beyond Karachi upto Iran and Saudi Arabia. This new radar system will enhance Chinese ability to gather Real Time Intelligence about Indian Missile Trajectory, Speed and Distance Data required to counter rapidly advancing Indian Missile Program.
As on date, since China and India have Geostrategic Tensions, Chinese Surveillance Infrastructures on/near Borders are of grave security concerns to India which warrants acquiring Counter Surveillance Technology and search for alternate Missile Testing Sites/ Methods to counter Chinese nefarious designs. Since Yunnan Radar Site is now operational, existing Indo China Geopolitical Competition has further intensified requiring, Strong Indian Security Measures and Strategic Deterrence against China. Some Defence Analysts termed it as an Intelligence Failure since Indian Intelligence Agencies could not get intelligence about this Radar Site which would have taken minimum 20-24 months to become operational.
Though this scenario looks disheartening, India has options to deal with it. During War, this huge Radar Site would be a Prime Target for Surface-to-surface Missiles. One or two, sea skimming or land attack Brahmos Missiles should be able to destroy this LPAR Site. Second option could be “Covert Operations”. To do that; India would have to resort to deep engagement with Myanmar Administration with assistance from CIA or other SE Asian Nations. Then she needs to raise/contact Insurgent Outfits in both Khanglu and Myanmar to carry out covert job of site destruction in addition. Best way to counteract this Chinese Radar Station without making a hard kill is by deployment and use of EW near the site to prevent it from functioning. Any Proxy Insurgent outfit can do the job. For this, India is required to acquire land in Myanmar. Alternately, employ such outfit to attack and destroy Radar Site to negate our direct involvement.
As on date, India does not have a radar with a 5000 km range. But, a similar type of radar is being procured from Russia. India should think more about our radar infrastructure near the China and Pak borders. She will have to increase and improve her Radar Networks across the border with the Long Early Warning Systems and VHF Radars. As per Defense Analysts; deployment of Voronezh DM Radar System in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh is necessary to reach deep into China and Andaman to use EW devices to disturb these Chinese LPAR Radar when testing our Missiles. Reportedly, India is in the process of installing a Massive Radar Complex of Russian origin at Chitradurga with possible Technology Transfer.
