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China has deployed satellites over Australia to gather intelligence on the Malabar military exercises involving the United States, India, and Japan. Commercial space data obtained by ABC News reveals Beijing’s comprehensive surveillance during the recently concluded “Exercise Talisman Sabre” and the ongoing “Malabar Exercise” naval drills off Sydney.

The 26th edition of the Malabar naval exercise is currently underway along the coast of Sydney, Australia. Hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the exercise includes participation from the naval forces of India, the US, Japan, and Australia. Since its inception in 1992, Malabar has evolved into a multilateral exercise.

Since the start of Exercise Malabar on August 10, numerous low-orbit satellites (LEOs) have conducted flights at reduced altitudes over Australia. Their focus has been on monitoring warship maneuvers near Sydney Harbour. Over 300 satellites have surveyed ground-based activities, with over 3,000 flights taking place.

The Australian Defense Department has not provided specific information regarding its monitoring and risk mitigation strategies in response to the Chinese satellite presence. However, they have stated that the Australian Defense Force (ADF) takes measures to protect the information security of Australian and participating forces. The Defense Department engages in monitoring satellite movements as part of broader efforts to raise awareness about activities within the space domain.

This is not the first time China has been reported to monitor the Malabar Exercise. In 2007, China reportedly dispatched a spy ship to observe activities in the Indian Ocean, and in 2014, similar activity occurred in the Bay of Bengal. Experts suggest that China sees the exercise as a challenge to its Indo-Pacific interests and views it as a means for the participating countries to counter Chinese assertiveness in the region.

There has been no official comment from Beijing regarding these reports.

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