Source: The Drive
By Joseph Trevithick
China has reportedly carried out at least one anti-ship ballistic missile test in the hotly contested South China Sea as part of a larger exercise.
If true, it would be the first time the Chinese military has carried out this kind of activity in this region that we know of and it would represent a significant escalation in that country’s already aggressive efforts to assert its claims over this highly strategic portion of the Pacific Ocean.
NBC News was first to report the development, citing two unnamed U.S. officials, on July 1, 2019. NBC’s sources did not say what type of missile or missiles were involved or what type of targets they struck at the end of their flight.
Neither the Chinese nor the U.S. government have officially confirmed the test, which reportedly occurred over the weekend.
However, China did issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) for two specific areas in the South China Sea, warnings often associated with missile launches and military exercises. These NOTAMs were in effect between June 30 and July 1, 2019.
Read more at: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28810/chinas-reported-anti-ship-ballistic-missile-test-in-the-south-china-sea-is-a-big-deal