Two Chinese electronic surveillance ships, 855 and 815A, are in the Persian Gulf.

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The Persian Gulf just got more crowded. Two Chinese electronic surveillance ships, identified as the 855 and the 815A, are now confirmed to be operating in the region. These are not cargo vessels. They are not flagged for humanitarian missions. They are military-grade intelligence platforms, built to intercept, decode, and monitor electronic signals across air, sea, and land. Their presence is not symbolic. It is strategic.

The 855 and 815A belong to the Dongdiao-class of electronic intelligence ships, known in NATO circles as the Type 815 and Type 815A. These vessels are equipped with large radomes, signal intercept arrays, and advanced telemetry systems. The 815A is the newer variant, featuring a flat-topped cylindrical radome above the pilothouse and upgraded processing gear. Both ships are capable of tracking ballistic missile launches, monitoring encrypted communications, and mapping radar signatures across a wide spectrum.

The 855, also known as Tianshuxing, was commissioned in 2015 and operates under China’s South Sea Fleet. The 815A variant entered service in 2017 and reflects Beijing’s push to modernize its naval intelligence capabilities. These ships are not passive observers. They are active collectors. Their mission is to gather signals intelligence from U.S. and allied naval movements, regional air traffic, and satellite uplinks. The Persian Gulf, with its dense traffic and strategic chokepoints, offers a rich harvest.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_815_spy_ship