02/15/2024 WION: The CCP PLA’s so-called scientific research vessel Xiangyang Hong-3 sailed to the Maldives this month, which can be used for eavesdropping, collecting underwater data relevant to military applications, charting underwater parts, and monitoring missiles or satellites test-fired from nearby locations.
As a response, India deployed the submarine INS Karanj to Sri Lanka, thereby affecting CCP sample collection and disrupting Chinese surveillance efforts.