Chinese spy balloons have targeted several countries, including India: Report

• A US media report has claimed that China has been operating a fleet of spy balloons targeting many countries including India.
• This comes in the backdrop of U.S. Air Force fighter jet shooting down spy balloon off South Carolina coast.

About Spy Balloon

• Spy balloon is a high-altitude surveillance tool that usually operates at 80,000-120,000 feet.
• It gathers intelligence and carry out other military missions.
• It is equipped with cameras and imaging devices suspended beneath the gas-filled white object to capture things of interest.
• Advantages: Cost-effective in comparison to satellites. Also, scan an area from close quarters and capture clearer, high-resolution images of target.
• Disadvantage: Deflected due to wind current.