The ionospheric probe intended for scientific purposes could be used as a weapon.
The PRC begins construction of one of the most controversial scientific facilities - a station for the study of ionospheric scattering of high-frequency radio waves will soon be built on the island of Hainan - almost a complete analogue of the American HAARP complex located in Alaska, writes SCMP. The American complex has been at the center of scandals several times over possible experimental attempts to influence the weather through strong electromagnetic radiation, and scientists believe that the complex in the South China Sea could be built as a dual-use facility.
Scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks noted that the American HAARP complex was built in Alaska due to the region's remoteness from large cities and busy airways, while the complex on Hainan Island can be created not only and not so much for scientific purposes, but in the interests of national security - powerful electromagnetic radiation will disrupt the operation of radar stations and communication systems near patrol aircraft and submarines located in the immediate vicinity of the maritime borders of the PRC.
To counter and detect objects of a potential enemy, the new complex will be able to use ultra-long waves (ELF) - this approach to anti-submarine defense of the US Navy was abandoned in the mid-80s, however, the Chinese military can combine into a single system not only a ground station, but also surface ships. as well as its own anti-submarine aircraft.
Sergey Andreev