Philippines accuses China of provocative target tracking with 'fire control'
The Philippine Navy announced that a Chinese corvette directed its fire-control radar at the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar while it patrolled near Sabina Shoal earlier this month, an action Manila described as "provocative" and potentially threatening since such specialized equipment provides precise targeting coordinates for weapons systems.
Key Points
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1The Philippines accuses China of using 'provocative' and 'alarming' tactics by locking a Chinese corvette's Fire Control Radar (FCR) onto its BRP Miguel Malvar frigate.
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2This incident occurred on March 7 in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, where FCRs are used to provide precise targeting coordinates for weapons systems rather than just surveillance scanning.
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3The specific vessel involved was identified as a guided missile frigate (FFG-6) patrolling near Escoda Shoal while underway.
Developments
On March 7 in the West Philippine Sea's exclusive economic zone near Sabina Shoal, China scanned BRP Miguel Malvar with a fire control radar while it was returning to Subic Naval Operating Base. The Philippines' Navy condemned this act as alarming and escalatory but noted that no further hostile actions occurred after Filipino forces issued radio warnings for both ships to leave the area safely.
The Philippine Navy stated that on March 7 near Sabina Shoal, it was targeted by fire control radar from a Chinese PLA navy vessel (bow number 622). This incident occurred amid ongoing tensions over the South China Sea and disputed sovereignty claims in areas like Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippine Navy stated that on March 7 near Sabina Shoal, it was directed at by fire control radar from a Chinese PLA navy vessel (bow number 622). This incident occurred amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea where both nations regularly clash over sovereignty claims.
On March 7 in the South China Sea near Sabina Shoal, a Chinese Type 056A-class corvette directed fire control radar at Philippines' BRP Miguel Malvar during sovereignty patrol operations. The Philippine Navy stated this targeting behavior was alarming and escalatory but noted that Guang'an stowed its equipment after radio communication de-escalated the situation.
On March 7, China's Jiangkai class corvette (bow number 622) reportedly scanned Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar with a fire control radar while both vessels were in the West Philippine Sea. The incident occurred as PH FFG-6 steamed toward Subic Naval Operating Base following an exercise in India, prompting it to issue radio challenges for deescalation after being trailed by Chinese forces before they departed hours later without further conflict.