Pentagon: We Detected a Chinese Intelligence Bubble in Our Skies
In the statement made by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), it was reported that an intelligence balloon flying over the US was detected. Officials said it was a Chinese high-altitude intelligence balloon and the American military was following the balloon.
A statement came from the USA that an intelligence balloon was detected in the sky.
“We Follow the Balloon”
Pentagon Spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, who made a statement to the journalists via teleconference, said:
“The U.S. government has detected and is currently tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon over the U.S. mainland. The U.S. government, including the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), is watching the balloon closely. does not pose a physical or military threat.”
Reminding that such balloon events have happened before, Ryder said that they took the necessary measures to prevent the balloon in question from collecting intelligence immediately after it was detected.
“We are confident that it belongs to China”
A senior Pentagon official, who made a statement to reporters after Ryder and did not want his name to be disclosed, gave the following information:
“We are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to China. Such balloons were observed several years ago. President (Joe) Biden was informed about this and requested a military option. (Defense) Secretary (Loyd) Austin en route to the Philippines. “He gathered the top-level defense management. Chief of Staff General Mark Milley and NORAD Commander Gen. Van Herk recommended that the balloon should not be attacked because of the risks that would arise where the pieces would fall.”
The Balloon Passed Over the Sensitive Facilities of the USA
The official said that they evaluated the balloon’s ability to gather intelligence from the United States as weak.
Stating that the USA contacted the Chinese authorities on the seriousness of the issue, the official said that the balloon was over the province of Montana the previous day (the USA has nuclear weapons in Montana province), and that if it is dropped, its remains on the ground may cause great damage.
The official pointed out that especially the route of the balloon passed over the sensitive facilities of the USA, but stated that the intelligence gathering capacity was weak and the American army still took the necessary precautions.