China’s New Anti-Hypersonic Radar Can Track Every Indian Missile from 5,000 km Away

China has taken a significant leap in military surveillance with the deployment of a powerful Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province, near the China-Myanmar border. This advanced system, with an estimated range exceeding 5,000 km, gives Beijing the ability to track and monitor every Indian missile launch in real-time, including those conducted from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast—India’s primary testing site for strategic missiles like the Agni-V and K-4 submarine-launched missile.

A Technological Game-Changer

Unlike traditional radars that rely on mechanical rotation, LPAR systems use electronically controlled antennas to scan vast areas instantly. This allows them to track multiple objects simultaneously with high precision, making them an integral part of modern air defence systems. The Indian missile testing range, located around 2,000–2,200 km southwest of the Yunnan radar station, falls well within its detection range, allowing China to observe every test India conducts.

China has already deployed similar radars in Korla and Xinjiang, monitoring India’s northern region. The addition of the Yunnan-based LPAR extends this surveillance network towards the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, significantly enhancing Beijing’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Strategic Importance of Yunnan’s Radar

This high-tech radar is reportedly under the command of ‘Base 37,’ a specialised unit of the People’s Liberation Army Aerospace Force (PLAAF) responsible for early missile warnings and space surveillance. The unit processes enormous amounts of orbital and missile trajectory data, ensuring China maintains a strategic advantage in missile detection and response.

China’s defence analysts highlight the importance of early warning systems in modern warfare. Military expert Song Zhongping has stated that tracking missile launches in real time gives China the ability to mobilise countermeasures swiftly. Given the rising global focus on hypersonic missiles—ultra-fast weapons that are difficult to track—China is integrating these advanced radar systems into its broader missile defence strategy.

China’s Expanding Surveillance Capabilities

Chinese state media has recently showcased long-range radar systems as part of the country’s military advancements. Footage aired during President Xi Jinping’s Lunar New Year address featured a ground-based phased-array radar station with PLA troops from various branches standing in formation before it.

One such facility is the Jiamusi Monitoring and Early Warning Station in Heilongjiang Province, initially built before 2011 and upgraded in 2021. A 2024 report from the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) noted that Jiamusi’s LPAR system now falls under Base 37’s command. However, internal tensions exist within the Chinese military over control of these critical assets, with both the PLAAF and the PLA Aerospace Force competing for dominance. If China ends up developing two separate LPAR networks, the lack of central coordination could create inefficiencies in tracking foreign missile activity.

India’s Growing Security Concerns

Beyond missile tracking, LPAR systems also possess electronic warfare capabilities, which means they can potentially disrupt communications, GPS signals, aviation navigation, and military transmissions. This raises concerns about the impact of China’s expanding surveillance reach on India’s strategic security.

China has also strengthened its focus on the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait, two crucial regions for India’s trade and naval operations. By integrating the Yunnan radar with those in Korla and Xinjiang, Beijing has created a broader surveillance network covering India’s eastern and northern borders.

In response, Indian defence experts have urged the government to enhance its early warning and tracking capabilities. While India has developed radar systems like the Swordfish Long-Range Tracking Radar, analysts stress that more investment is needed to counter China’s growing technological edge.

Military Readiness and Rising Tensions

Alongside its advancements in radar technology, China has been increasing military preparedness. In January 2025, top PLA generals Zhang Youxia and He Weidong visited frontline troops, emphasising the need for heightened readiness due to tensions on multiple fronts, including the Indian border and the Taiwan Strait.

China’s expanding radar network, combined with its assertive military posture, poses new challenges for regional security. For India, the primary task now is not only to counter Beijing’s surveillance but also to strengthen its own missile defence and strategic deterrence capabilities.