Pentagon: 100% Sure Balloon "Not For Civilian Purposes"

MNI London: Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder has briefed reporters on the current state of US intelligence on the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon shot down over the United States this week.

• Ryder says he doesn't believe that the balloon would have a significantly increased surveillance advantage to other "capabilities" that the US "knows [China] maintains."
• Ryder: I can assure you this [balloon] was not for civilian purposes. We are 100% clear about that."
• Ryder: "We learned a lot about this balloon programme. I would not be surprised if the PRC revised their dirigible collection."
• Ryder: "Over the last several years, including time of the previous administration, subsequent analysis determined that objected that traversed over the United States have been determined to be PRC surveillance balloons."
• Ryder confirms that three balloons have been detected during the administration of former President Donald Trump and two during the administration of Joe Biden.
• The incident is expected to play out for a number of week with US lawmakers scheduled to receive additional intelligence briefings and a "Gang of Eight," House and Senate intelligence leaders, briefing in the pipeline.