Race of wars with China. Great Britain is building a fleet of spy balloons

Great Britain is developing a fleet of spy military balloons as part of the arms race with China, “Telegraph newspaper” said on Sunday. At the beginning of the year, British officials supervised in South Dakota, in the USA, tests of balloon prototypes that can cover a distance of about 3500 km.

According to the daily, the tested balloons reached a height of 18 to 26 km above the surface of the earth and could cover a distance equal to the distance dividing London and Timbuktu in Mali. In addition to providing intelligence data, this equipment can also be support during various types of disasters, providing a quick wireless internet connection. It will also be used for more accurate weather forecasting and research on climate change.

According to Maria Eagle, Secretary of State for Defense Order and Industry, successful balloons tests achieving stratospheric heights will ensure the advantage of the British armed forces. – This is another example of exceeding the Britain by the British (in the sphere) of defense and creating real potential (servant) to strengthen our future possibilities – said Eagle.

Great Britain's decision to create your own balloon fleet was taken in 2023 – after the American Air Force shot down the Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. The then British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that also the Royal Air Force (RAF) shot down a similar aircraft flying over the territory of the country.

American officials revealed at the beginning of 2025 that the Chinese spy balloon they shot down two years ago was equipped with the most modern technology created in America. The facility spent a week over the US and Canada territory, flying over important air bases and places of firing nuclear missiles, before it was destroyed by the F-22 fighter.

In March this year, Taiwan, towards which Beijing is sovereign rights, informed about the detection of six spy balloons near the island.

China maintains that these are civilian balloons used for research, mainly meteorological, which accidentally deviated from the course.

In response to the growing fears of the West regarding similar objects, French air forces have recently conducted exercises. During this undertaking, fighters shot down the balloons flying at high altitudes.

From London Marta Zabłocka (PAP)

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