China Sends Spy Ship Toward Bay of Bengal Amid India-Pakistan Ceasefire — Tensions Rise in Indian Ocean as Chinese Vessel Da Yang Hao Approaches Strategic Waters.
Chinese Surveillance Ship Sparks Strategic Alarm Near India’s Eastern Coast
In a temporary calm between India and Pakistan following a ceasefire, China appears to have taken an audacious maritime swipe at sea. It is reportedly the best surveillance vessel in a highly advanced class from China, the Da Yang Hao is reportedly steaming towards Bay of Bengal which again raises new clouds in the sky for Indian defence/intelligence.
Da Yang Hao: The Floating Spy Lab
Da Yang Hao (“research ship”), as China officially calls the ship in question. But the world analysts and security experts knows better than this is a military ship in reality. Its a technology ship with high tech:
Map the ocean floor
Track missile trajectories
Detect submarine movements
In 2019 China took over Da Yang Hao and it is now among the most advanced floating laboratories in dual-mission — civilian on paper, military in actuality.
Route Through Malacca Strait to Bay of Bengal
As per open-source intelligence analyst Damien Symon, the ship is currently transiting through the Malacca Strait and seems to aim south of Sri Lanka before heading to the Bay of Bengal. Important for commercial shipping and military logistical reasons.
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China’s Growing Naval Footprint in the Indian Ocean
Da Yang Hao isn’t alone. Four more of China’s maritime escort ships have reportedly already been fitted with similar wooden containers as it emerges from reports. In reality, a few such ships have been detected in the waters near Indian in recent years:
Jiang Yang Hong 3 conducted the missions around Maldives in 2024
Zhi Chang Yang Hong 1 assisted as ISR momory during India’s missile trials , staying barely 250 nautical miles from Visakhapatnam
Via the back door courtesy of research vessels they ostensibly are to, the Chinese are able to moor in strategic ports around the Indian Ocean Region ( IOR) — like Male for example.
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What It Means for India and the World
The timing is no coincidence. As India and Pakistan step back from direct confrontation, China seems to be testing India’s eastern maritime resilience. With increasing geopolitical tensions in Asia, China’s presence in the Bay of Bengal isn’t just about spying — it’s about projecting power.
India is expected to monitor the vessel closely and may respond diplomatically or militarily if any red lines are crossed.
Conclusion: Strategic Waters, Strategic Moves
The movement of Da Yang Hao is a clear signal: while borders may quiet down, the oceans are becoming the new battleground for global power plays.