Chinese SIGINT in Cuba (4 Nodes)
artifactIntelligence & Surveillance · Nations & Geopolitics
China has built four listening posts on an island next door to the US, aimed straight at America's coast and space launches.
Who they are
Four Chinese electronic-eavesdropping sites operating in Cuba.
What they do
They are spy installations that intercept US communications, satellites, and rocket launches from just off the American shore.
How it works
Bejucal is the largest, tracking Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center; El Salao has a huge antenna array that can intercept signals thousands of nautical miles out, 40 miles from Guantanamo; Wajay and Calabazar cover terrestrial signals and US satellites. Together they cover major US military commands and bases including Key West and the Kings Bay submarine base.
Why it matters
China is using Cuba the same way the US uses Taiwan, as a forward spy outpost parked right off a rival's coastline.
The engine's record — word for word
Bejucal: largest active site, new radomes, ELINT tracking Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center. El Salao: 130m+ CDAA (3,000-8,000 nautical mile interception range), 40 miles from Guantanamo. Wajay: 12 antenna arrays for terrestrial intercept. Calabazar: 12+ dish antennas tracking US orbital assets. Covers SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM, NAS Key West, Kings Bay submarine base. China uses Cuba exactly as US uses Taiwan: forward-deployed intelligence outpost off rival coast.
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