As per the Pentagon, the so-called Chinese’spy balloon’ that spanned the continental United States in February from Alaska to the east coast did not acquire any data. Officials announced on Thursday that the US “took steps to mitigate” the suspected spy balloon’s intelligence-gathering capability. US intelligence services are presently analyzing debris obtained from the downed balloon. The episode heightened tensions between the United States and China.
The US was “aware that (the balloon) had intelligence collection capabilities
According to the BBC, Pentagon spokeswoman Brigadier General Pat Ryder acknowledged that the balloon was thought to have information-gathering capabilities. The US was “aware that (the balloon) had intelligence collection capabilities,” he claimed. However, he said that the current judgment is that it did not capture any data.
“It has been our assessment now that it did not collect [information] while it was transiting the United States or overflying the United States.”
Gen Ryder said that the US made attempts to counter any intelligence collecting, which “contributed” to the balloon’s inability to capture crucial data. According to the BBC, the General did not corroborate rumors that the balloon had American-made technology. He did, however, point out that Chinese drones have previously used off-the-shelf US electronics.
Chinese spy balloon spent almost a week flying over the United States and Canada
According to newly released photographs, the Chinese spy balloon spent almost a week flying over the United States and Canada in February before being shot down by a fighter jet off the Atlantic coast on President Joe Biden’s instructions. Sensors from the balloon were later recovered from the ocean. (https://www.losaltosresort.com) There were fears that Beijing was gathering intelligence as the balloon sailed over US military outposts. Chinese officials, on the other hand, said it was a civilian weather balloon and accused the US of overreacting by shooting it down. As a result of the event, Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a trip to China. The trip, however, was rescheduled and took place earlier this month.