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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Tory Shepherd

Australia’s F-35s are capable of shooting down any spy balloons over country, thinktank says

Australia United States Malcolm Davis Mike Burgess Missile Asio
A Chinese spy balloon shortly before it was shot down over the US east coast on 4 February
A Chinese spy balloon that was the first of four flying objects the US downed this month. Asio chief Mike Burgess says he is unaware of any unidentified aerial phenomena over Australia. Photograph: Joe Granita/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

Australia’s radar network would be able to spot any spy balloon in its airspace, and a missile fired from a stealth fighter jet would be the most effective way to bring it down, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) says.

The United States has downed four flying objects since 4 February, including a Chinese spy balloon with a payload the size of three buses.

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