The Pentagon does not believe that a Chinese spy balloon flying over the US constitutes a threat

The Pentagon watches a Chinese spy balloon flying over the United StatesA US Defense official reported Thursday.

At the request of President Joe Biden, the Department of Defense considered shooting down the aircraft, but made the decision not to do so due to the Potential risks to people on the groundsaid the source who requested anonymity.

“Clearly the intent of this balloon is surveillance, and the current flight path takes it over a number of sensitive sites,” the official said.

The Pentagon does not believe this device poses a major threat. because it “has limited additive value from the perspective of intelligence (data) collection.”

“We are taking steps to protect ourselves from the collection of sensitive information by foreign intelligence,” the official nevertheless stated.

The balloon entered US airspace “several days ago,” the official said, but the American intelligence services tracked him from before.

Several combat planes examined the balloon as it flew over Montana (north). It currently flies “at an altitude well above commercial air traffic” and “does not pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground”, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said in a statement.

China has flown surveillance balloons over the United States in the past.

The presence of the balloon adds to the tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan, which the Chinese government considers part of its territory and which it intends to regain control of one day, if necessary by force. (YO)