China's intelligence gathering network has achieved a significant technological breakthrough that could reshape the future of sea battles.

In a secret location, an acoustic sensor array deployed on the seabed at a depth of 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) has successfully detected and tracked a fixed-wing aircraft flying at an altitude of 5,000 metres, according to scientists involved in the project.

This groundbreaking deep sea radar has the potential to turn China's submarines from prey to predator in the game of anti-submarine warfare.