China's military has significantly upgraded one of its island bases in the South China Sea, specifically on Triton Island in the Parcel archipelago, according to a report from UK think tank Chatham House. The upgrade includes the installation of an advanced anti-stealth radar system, which was initially thought to be an airstrip when it was first spotted last year. The new structure on Triton appears to be a synthetic impulse and aperture radar (SIAR) array, similar to systems already in place on China's bases at Subi Reef and Hainan Island. This VHF-band radar uses advanced signal processing techniques to detect airborne targets more effectively, overcoming some of the limitations typically associated with VHF systems, like imprecision and interference from other radio signals. Researchers in China believe they have refined this technology enough to track and target aircraft, which is crucial since stealth aircraft are designed to evade traditional radar systems. Triton Island is strategically located, filling a gap between existing VHF-band radar installations, and the new system aims to provide better early warning capabilities for potential attacks. A second radar tower is currently under construction alongside the SIAR array, along with what appears to be facilities for mobile anti-ship missile operations. Triton holds particular significance for China due to its proximity to offshore oil and gas resources in the Vietnamese exclusive economic zone. The region has been a point of contention, especially after a standoff in 2014 when a Chinese drilling rig was forced to withdraw following a naval clash with Vietnam. Historically, Vietnam controlled much of the Parcel Islands until 1974, when China took over following a naval battle. Since then, China has maintained its hold on the archipelago, underscoring the strategic importance of Triton Island in its broader maritime ambitions.