[FOXNEWS] The Chinese military has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of its contested islands in the South China Sea according to civilian satellite imagery exclusively obtained by Fox News, more evidence that China is increasingly "militarizing" its islands in the South China Sea and ramping up tensions in the region.The imagery from ImageSat International (ISI) shows two batteries of eight surface-to-air missile launchers as well as a radar system on Woody Island, part of the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea. It is the same island chain where a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed close to another contested island a few weeks ago. China at the time vowed "consequences" for the action.
Woody Island is also claimed by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and by Vietnam.
| This isn't a surprise. These islands are military bases, complete with airstrips and harbors. Of course they're going to have anti-air protection. If we built up a reef like this we'd have a Patriot battery on it. |