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Warships from India, Japan, Australia, and the US are currently participating in the Malabar Exercise 2023 in Australia. However, while these drills are taking place, hundreds of Chinese satellites are reportedly collecting valuable intelligence on the ongoing military training, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The satellites, strategically positioned over Australia, are acquiring information about the exercises.

Exercise Malabar, which has its origins in bilateral naval drills between India and the US, has now evolved to include Japan and Australia, making it a multinational exercise involving the four Indo-Pacific partner nations of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). These drills are seen as a collective response by the QUAD nations to safeguard stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region amid concerns over China’s growing influence.

The report reveals that Chinese low-orbit satellites (LEOs) are systematically surveilling the military training operations during Exercise Malabar and the recent completion of Exercise Talisman Sabre. EOS Space Systems, a defense company based in Canberra, has monitored the movements of Chinese geostationary orbit satellites, including the Shiyan 12-01, Shijian-17, and Shijian-23 satellites. These satellites maneuvered strategically to observe and gather data on the exercises.

EOS Space Systems collected optical surveillance data from Chinese Earth observation satellites and revealed that over 300 satellites are scrutinizing ground-based activities during military drills. Chinese presence in Australia’s airspace offers Beijing an unparalleled surveillance capability to closely monitor onshore and offshore activities with exceptional details.

Debadatta Mishra, a former senior ISRO scientist, stated that China’s use of low-orbit satellites allows effortless monitoring of military activities due to their low latency advantage. However, he noted that similar capabilities have been employed by major space powers like the United States and Russia in the past.

Dr. Malcolm Davis, a Senior Analyst at Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasized the need for Australia to focus on future space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. He suggested that a widespread deployment of constellations within Low Earth Orbit (LEO) should be considered, as it provides a more flexible and cost-effective approach.

Overall, the report highlights China’s ambition to expand dominance and its growing investment in space capabilities. Space has become a pivotal domain for modern global war-fighting operations, and China’s efforts to position itself ahead of the United States in the space race is evident through its substantial investments.

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