There are now plans to shoot down the Chinese spy balloon currently flying over the United States. A senior US official told the American news channel ABC News. However, it will be a tricky task.
Initially, it was decided not to shoot down the balloon. The Pentagon investigated the option at the request of President Joe Biden, but the potential risk of falling debris for Montana residents was too great. That situation may change if the balloon flies over the Atlantic Ocean.
“The current line of thinking is to wait until the balloon is over the Atlantic, bring it down and fish it out. This way he can be studied and it can be checked what technology he has on board,” according to ABC news, which is based on “a senior American official who is aware of the situation”.
However, that scenario would not be easy to implement. “They would only have twelve nautical miles (just over 14 miles, ed.) to do it, because after that the balloon would be over international waters. And the last thing the United States wants is to provoke an international conflict,” ABC News’ White House correspondent said.
LOOK. Explained: Why Great Powers Use Spy Balloons
A substantial part of the local airspace may have to be closed for the operation. According to the official, the balloon would probably be controlled by Chinese spy satellites.
Beijing has already admitted that the balloon does indeed come from China, but says it is a harmless weather balloon and not a spy device. The balloon would have accidentally drifted to the US. In the meantime, however, the Pentagon has also reported a second Chinese balloon over South America.
Is the Chinese spy balloon over the US being remotely piloted? Is there one hovering over our country? And why hasn’t he been shot yet? Your questions answered (+)
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