China building ‘counter-stealth’ radar on disputed South China Sea reef, satellite pictures suggest

Chinese military experts are taking significant steps to enhance their surveillance capabilities in the South China Sea, particularly through upgrades on Triton Island in the Paracel archipelago. Recent satellite imagery has revealed the construction of a new counter-stealth radar system, which could have major implications for regional security dynamics.

To shed light on these developments, we spoke with Michael Dahm, a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “The upgrades on Triton Island are crucial,” Dahm noted. “They not only include a sophisticated radar system but also appear to involve infrastructure that could serve as a launching point for anti-ship missile batteries.”

He emphasized the strategic importance of these upgrades, stating that by limiting the U.S. military’s ability to operate stealth aircraft, China sends a strong message to its allies and partners in the region. This suggests that U.S. advanced technology may face significant challenges from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Dahm further explained that similar counter-stealth radar systems, known as synthetic impulse and aperture radar (SIAR), have already been deployed in other locations, such as Subi Reef and Hainan Island. “Triton Island fills a crucial gap in China’s surveillance network,” he added. “Over the last three decades, China has developed a robust technological framework to counter U.S. stealth capabilities.”

Triton Island itself spans approximately 120 hectares and is located in the southwestern corner of the Paracels, an area under Chinese control since the conflict with Vietnam in 1974. However, both Taiwan and Vietnam also stake claims to this territory.

The situation is complicated by the fact that China asserts dominance over much of the South China Sea, despite an international tribunal ruling against its expansive claims. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping territorial disputes in this vital waterway.

Though the U.S. does not claim territory in the region, it considers the area critical to its national interests and frequently conducts freedom of navigation operations. The U.S. has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, committing to assist them in the event of an attack in the South China Sea.

China’s actions in the region have increasingly sparked accusations of aggression. Recently, Vietnam reported an incident involving Chinese law enforcement personnel who allegedly assaulted Vietnamese fishermen and confiscated their catch near the Paracel Islands—an area rich in both fishing and potential oil and gas reserves.

Dahm indicated that any construction on Triton would likely heighten concerns for Vietnam, particularly as it would significantly limit Vietnam’s ability to operate discreetly in the region. He explained, “With the new radar on Triton, Beijing could potentially monitor Vietnamese air operations, giving them vital intelligence regarding Hanoi’s actions in the contested waters.”

Additionally, the new radar could complicate navigation for U.S., British, and Australian naval forces operating nearby. Chatham House’s analysis points to several ongoing construction efforts on Triton, including a large pad potentially intended for a mobile anti-ship missile battery, as well as a facility for storing missile transport vehicles.

Overall, Dahm described Triton Island as a pivotal component of China’s fortified presence in the Paracels. “It represents a weak point in what China is building,” he said, referencing the already significant military capabilities established on Woody Island and other northeastern reefs in the chain.