Chinese spy ship recorded entire US airstrike on Iran

The Chinese Navy has deployed two spy ships in the Persian Gulf to monitor US tactics, technology and strategies in an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Ahead of the US attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 23, the Chinese Navy reportedly deployed two advanced electronic spy ships to the Persian Gulf to monitor the US military’s Operation Midnight Hammer. Photo: @Newsweek.

The strategic move underscores China’s growing naval presence in a geopolitically volatile region. Analysts initially speculated that China wanted to support Iran by sharing intelligence. Photo: @ Flickr.

However, evidence suggests that their primary focus was on observing US military tactics, particularly sophisticated operations involving stealth aircraft and electronic warfare. Photo: @China Military.

The deployed vessels were identified as Type 815A-class surveillance ships with hull numbers 855 and 815A, which are excellent at collecting signals intelligence and monitoring radar emissions, providing China with extremely important intelligence. Photo: @afric_insde/X.

The move has drawn the ire of both defense experts and the general public, as it highlights the complex interplay between technology, strategy, and global power dynamics in the Persian Gulf. The deployment raises questions about China’s broader ambitions, and its role in a region vital to global energy supplies. Photo: @MilitaryLeak.

In fact, nations have long deployed intelligence-gathering platforms to monitor the military activities of their opponents from a safe distance, a tactic deeply rooted in strategic competition. Photo: @AF.mil.

During the Cold War, Soviet ships regularly monitored US naval exercises in the Atlantic, collecting data on radar systems and communications protocols. Similarly, US reconnaissance aircraft, such as the RC-135 Rivet Joint, patrolled near the Soviet border to intercept signals from military exercises in the Pacific . Photo: @AF.mil.

More recently, Russian intelligence ships lingered off the Syrian coast during Western air strikes in 2018, analysing NATO tactics and electronic warfare measures. Photo: @ The Guardian.

China itself has used this strategy, deploying surveillance ships to observe US-led exercises in the South China Sea, such as the Rim of the Pacific exercise in 2022. This approach allows countries to gather important insights without direct conflict, refine technologies, and move forward with their own strategies. Photo: @ThePrint.

China’s deployment of intelligence ships in the Persian Gulf signals a calculated effort to advance its military and geopolitical interests. Primarily, the PLAN aims to scrutinize Operation Midnight Hammer, the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, to decipher US tactics. Photo: @ The War Zone.

The use of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and electronic warfare systems in this campaign is a rare opportunity for China to collect data on advanced US technology. Photo: @News Arena.

The move allows the PLAN to track the movements of aircraft, including stealth platforms like the B-2 Spirit, by analyzing the signatures of their support systems. The ships also support satellite reconnaissance, relaying data to Chinese orbital assets for real-time analysis. Equipped with long-range radar surveillance tools, the Type 815As can detect and classify military activity hundreds of miles away, providing a comprehensive view of US operations. Photo: @RNZ.

In addition to tactical intelligence, China is also seeking to protect its economic interests in the region, as it relies heavily on oil imports from the Persian Gulf. By establishing a naval presence, Beijing is asserting itself as a global power capable of influencing regional dynamics. The deployment also fits into China’s efforts to increase satellite-based tracking of stealth platforms, a priority for its military modernization. Photo: @ Stormbirds.

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