The object has been shot down in a maneuver that endangers relations between China and the United States.
Just a few hours ago, a United States Air Force fighter managed to shoot down the Chinese spy drone that had been flying over the airspace of the American country for days. The maneuver took place over the waters off the coast of South Carolina, to prevent the possible remains of the device from putting the citizens of the region at risk, according to information provided by the United States Department of Defense.
A weather balloon seems, a spy drone is
President Joe Biden was the one who finally gave green light to demolition of the spy drone last Wednesday, although due to its position, the action had to be delayed a few days. Also, this motion was made in set with the government of canadaaccording to the declarations of the secretary of defense, Lloyd J. Austin III:
We thank Canada for its contribution in tracking and analyzing the globe across North America. Today’s willful and unlawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety of the American people first, while responding effectively to the People’s Republic of China’s unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.
🚨#BREAKING: Incredible HD footage of the Chinese surveillance balloon being shot down
🚨#MyrtleBeach he #SC
Watch incredible HD video of the moment when the Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down by a single missile from an F-22 fighter jet from Langley Air Force Base pic.twitter.com/KjwTrgcvcb
— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) February 4, 2023
In this case, it has been a F-22 Raptor fighter the one who has been responsible for the launch of a AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to the balloon, many have also referred to this object as a drone, which has been the reason why it ended up being intercepted. The back maneuver has involved the search for the remains of the object, since it may contain sensitive information about its purpose. According to a Department of Defense spokesperson:
While we have taken all steps to protect ourselves from the collection of sensitive information by the PRC surveillance balloon, the surveillance balloon’s flight over United States territory was an intelligence asset to us. I cannot go into more detail, but we have been able to study and scrutinize the balloon and its equipment.
For now, the Chinese government has already admitted that the balloon was theirsbut that their functions were related to the climate study, which in the United States is not believed. The interception occurred at an altitude of 17 kilometers, after various F-15 fighters they would have been carrying out an exhaustive follow-up of the drone in recent days. In addition to airborne devices, the US government also deployed its aircraft carriers USS Oscar Austin, USS Philippine Sea and USS Carter Hall to support the fighters.
Let’s hope we don’t see the moment when this type of espionage maneuver ends up deriving into a war that, given the era in which we have lived, could escalate to unknown dimensions, with the distant possibility of using nuclear bombs or war vehicles as Leopard 2 tank.