Spy Balloon Was Launched by Chinese Army, Intel Sources Say

The Chinese spy balloon that was shot down after transiting the United States was launched by the People’s Liberation Army, an intelligence source told Soldier of Fortune. The balloon belonged to an airship fleet with a base in Hainan province on the southern coast of China, the source confirmed.

The balloon is part of an extensive surveillance program operated by the Chinese military, VOA reported. The program has launched surveillance missions over Japan, India, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines, the outlet noted.

READ MORE about the Chinese spy balloon that transited the United States.

A surveillance balloon was shot down on Saturday by an Air Force F-22 Raptor off the coast of South Carolina. Salvage efforts are underway. The recovered elements will be examined by experts at the FBI training site in Quantico, Virginia, the intelligence source said.