A Chinese research vessel remained hidden near Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal for several days. According to a French maritime intelligence company, the ship tried to stay undetected by turning off its Automatic Identification System (AIS).
This system normally helps ships broadcast their location.

Satellite Data Revealed Suspicious Activity

A report by The Economic Times cited the French firm Unseenlabs, which tracks ships using satellite-based radio signals. Their 16-day survey of the Bay of Bengal found that nearly 10% of ships had switched off their AIS. This raised security alarms in India, especially at a time when China and Bangladesh are growing closer in ties.

Thousands of Ships Tracked, Some Went Silent

During the survey, Unseenlabs monitored 1,897 vessels in the region. Most of these ships were transmitting AIS signals normally. However, about 9.6% were not broadcasting any AIS, suggesting they were trying to hide their movements.

Chinese Ship Caught Near Indian Coast

Among these vessels, the French company flagged one specific Chinese research ship. It was found very close to Indian waters and stayed in the Indian Ocean for several days.

Unseenlabs said in the report, “While not broadcasting AIS, its RF signature was consistent and traceable, enabling our systems to monitor its movement over several days… We suspect that this prominent Chinese research vessel was likely operating with strategic intent.”

This means that even though the ship tried to hide, it could still be tracked by its radio frequency (RF) signals.

Suspected Strategic Mission

The company suggested that the ship’s mission was probably not innocent. They believe it was mapping the seafloor, studying the acoustic environment, and identifying submarine routes. These activities are usually linked to spy operations or anti-submarine warfare planning.

Indian Navy Keeps a Watchful Eye

India’s Navy and Coast Guard keep a strict watch on all ship movements near its maritime boundaries. They have regularly reported Chinese research vessels entering nearby waters.

In this case, the Chinese ship was sailing in international waters, around 120 nautical miles from India’s restricted military zones on the east coast. So, while it wasn’t directly inside Indian territory, it was alarmingly close.

China’s Growing Naval Presence

China already has warships and submarines active in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Now, Indian naval experts believe that Beijing may soon send aircraft carriers to this region as well. Now his possibility adds to India’s growing concerns about China’s maritime ambitions.