China's lack of a space ELINT capability is puzzling and suggestive given its purchase of long-range anti-ship missiles from Russia. The ability of these missiles to use satellite data, both ELINT and radar, to target ships is an essential component of their long-range capability. In particular, the SS-N-26 long range anti ship missile is made by the same Russian entity that is allegedly supplying China with space radar sensors, NPO Mashinostroyenia. NPO Mashinostroyenia has a long history of developing advance anti-ship cruise missiles and has considerable experience in using radar satellite data with the targeting of Western naval forces. If China does not invest in space surveillance, the effect is to limit the effectiveness of their new purchases. Despite upgrades to their naval forces and weaponry, the Chinese do not seem to be in any rush to deploy supporting ELINT satellites. This may be only a temporary delay, it could reflect either satisfaction with current levels of collection or a conscious decision not to expend resources on ELINT, or it might be a failure to fully understand the interconnection between space assets and terrestrial force. The best way for foreign analysts to determine
if China has increased its SIGINT capabilities in a naval context would be to look for new kinds of antennae on Chinese naval vessels or new kinds data relays coordinated with missile-firing exercises.

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Lewis, James A. "China as a Military Space Competitor." Perspectives on Space Security. Ed. Audrey M. Schaffer. Washington, D.C.: Space Policy Institute, December 2005. [ 8 quotes ] [ page 102 ]