Reportedly, U.S. officials think they have found yet another, now the third, Chinese spy balloon that is likely still operating in the air as of writing, but they did not elect to reveal where they have discovered it.
This news comes after the U.S. military made use of an F-22 Raptor to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon this past Saturday off the coast of South Carolina by utilizing a single air-to-air A9X sidewinder missile which had been fired at an altitude of about 58,000 feet. The choice to take down the Chinese spy balloon took place after Old Sleepy Joe allowed let it to continue on its path to fly thousands of miles across the continental U.S. during the last few days.
A report from the Washington Post expressed that the U.S. officials think there is “likely a third operating elsewhere,” but they chose to not announce the location of the balloon.
One official explained to the Post that Beijing was embarrassed over the incident. “They’re in a very tough place,” stated one official. “And they have very few cards to play right now.”
The second of these Chinese spy balloons was found flying over South America last week, as reported by U.S. military officials.
“We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America,” expressed Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in a recent release. “We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon.”
China quickly became enraged in the wake of the balloons being shot down, spouting the claim that it was “a clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice,” and that it now reserves “the right to make further responses if necessary.”
“China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US’s use of force to attack civilian unmanned aircraft,” explained one statement. “The Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure – it was completely an accident.
“China clearly asked the US to handle it properly in a calm, professional and restrained manner. A spokesman for the US Department of Defense also stated that the balloon will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel,” finished a statement from the Chinese. “China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies, while reserving the right to make further necessary reaction.”