Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), announced during Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to USA, aims to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific.
- India is the first country with whom the U.S. has offered to work with on UDA technologies.
About UDA
- It is a maritime concept that involves using technology, strategies, policies etc. to monitor everything under the sea.
- Significance for India:
- Strengthens regional security such as piracy, terrorism, interstate conflicts etc. through detection of possible security risks and prompt responses.
- Ensures economic and sustainability interests with opportunities in blue economy, and environmental management.
- Strengthens India’s regional diplomacy by building trust and cooperation in maritime domain.
Technologies in UDA
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Include Remotely Operated UUVs and Autonomous UVs, equipped with sophisticated sensors and cameras.
- India developed UUVs like MAYA, AMOGH and ADAMYA.
- Acoustic Surveillance: Sonar systems, Sonobuoys, Sea Picket autonomous surveillance system etc.
- India’s BEL has signed agreement for co-production of Multistatic Active (MSA) sonobuoys with USA’s Ultra Maritime and for active towed array sonar systems with USA’s L3 Harris.
- Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR): Bathymetric LIDAR uses water penetrating green light to measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.