Battling Pirates: Indian Navy’s Indigenous UAVs Transform Maritime Security
Recently, the Indian Navy conducted an operation against Somalian pirates in the Arabian Sea and rescued 17 hostages. Pirates had taken the crew of the MV Rouen hostage on December 14 last year. Seven citizens of the Malta-flagged ship were from Bulgaria. The ship was hijacked by about 35 pirates.
And, it was the indigenously developed Spotter Drone which was deployed to monitor the situation at sea where the pirates had also fired at the drone, highlighting the dangers faced during such missions.
These Spotter Drones are now integral to Indian warships, provide real-time intelligence crucial for maritime operations.
What is the importance of Maritime Spotter Drone?
In an earlier interaction with Financial Express Online, Captain Nikunj Parashar, Co-founder and Managing Director of Sagar Defence Engineering talked about the significance of the Maritime Spotter Drone. “This real-time communication was pivotal, providing mission control with immediate insights into the status of the crew module and facilitating rapid decision-making by playing an essential role in guiding recovery vessels to the precise location of the module.
This not only expedited the recovery process but also enhanced the overall safety and efficiency of the mission. These autonomous systems proved to be instrumental in streamlining the recovery operation, aiming to make human spaceflight missions safer and more efficient in the future,” he explained.
Sixty of these drones have been acquired from Sagar Defence, proving vital in trials where they executed spotting maneuvers at 20 knots and successfully landed on the INS Vikrant,
India’s indigenous aircraft
carrier. And will boost ISR, protecting seafarers and in aiding interception operations.
About Spotter Drones
These drones offer unique capabilities, allowing for take-off and landing while ships are in motion. The Spotter drone deal, signed in 2021, includes 30 units, with an additional 60 ordered in 2023. Designed exclusively for the Indian Navy, these drones enhance surveillance, enabling pre-emptive threat detection and real-time information sharing.
Moreover, smaller UAVs launched from carriers expand surveillance range and facilitate communication between vessels, amplifying naval capabilities in coordination with satellites like Rukmani.
Innovations like mid-sea command transfer and passenger-carrying drones, like ‘Varuna’, mark significant advancements. Manufactured by Sagar Defence Engineering, Varuna is designed to operate from moving warships, offering versatility and efficiency in various missions.
Looking ahead, collaborations between
Larsen and Toubro and
startups signal a promising future, with plans for submarine-launched UAVs and advancements in anti-submarine warfare and ISR capabilities.
Despite past challenges and failed attempts, the Indian Navy remains committed to enhancing maritime security through indigenous UAV technology, ensuring robust defence and surveillance capabilities in the maritime domain.
Source:
https://www.financialexpress.com/bu...ous-uavs-transform-maritime-security-3430398/
