The Indian Navy aims to obtain total Unmanned Solutions with fusing all the information collected by several unmanned systems deployed. Some platforms in the pipeline such as 10 drones from the US based General Atomics 10 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUS) minesweepers are anticipated to be aspect of the Indian Navy quickly.
“The world has changed and there are new enemies and new wars to fight in the 21st century, and for this purpose new war machines with the state of the art technologies are needed,” explained a service veteran.
In India the 3 services are in the midst of huge shift in priorities for defence expenditure, and the concentrate has gradually shifted from combating terrorism towards fighting off the aggressions of — China and Pakistan.
Top sources confirmed to TheSpuzz Online, “Due to budgetary constraints, there is a push towards fleet rationalization. And have reached a point where in place of manned platforms the focus has shifted to unmanned platforms. For instance, there is a requirement for 12 minesweepers. So, the navy is looking for unmanned minesweepers, additional P-8Is, NSUS, and more UUVs.” Adding, “The Indian Navy has always the latest technology whether it is an eye in the sky or Sonar and UUVs to deal with threats underwater.”
“The data gathered that is gathered through AI based software is for better and faster analysis for seamless flow of information and helps the navy in its operations.”
What is Indian Navy acquiring?
The Indian Navy has been pushing for High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones to beef up surveillance to maintain an eye on the enormous Ocean space as effectively as rising its profile in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
As has been reported by TheSpuzz Online earlier, a deal with the US based General Atomics is anticipated to be inked quickly. The Indian Navy is going to obtain 10 Predator (MQ-9) series UAVs.
The Predator (MQ-9) UAV from the US is possibly the most iconic aircraft of the war on terror. Over two decades the folks across the globe have grown familiar with the Drones.
How did the Predators get the name Sea Guardian?
General Atomics defines Sea Guardians as hugely modular and effortlessly configurable High altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA). This makes it possible for the consumer chosen mixture of payloads to be fitted onboard, as a result generating it specialized for certain demands. According to sources, “Indian Navy, which is the lead service for the procurement of HALE, exploited this ability and selected some of the latest most versatile sensors and payloads to make it better than the aircraft being operated by the customer themselves.”
A group of its very best unmanned crew went globetrotting for choice of the airframe and sensors package. And by means of their journey, the Indian Navy group got an chance to interact with USAF, and RAF officers to fully grasp the operational functionality of their sensor packages. “To understand real world ranges in the Maritime Domain, the protector programme in particular was helpful. And through this dedicated and tedious process India’s Sea Guardian was conceived. The UAVs presently on lease are just a shade of cross domain capable aircraft yet to come,” explained a supply.
Being a technological intensive and network centric service, Indian Navy has currently commenced defining several Letters Of Intent (LoIs) towards the MUM-T (Manned and Unmanned Team). This would give the commander at sea, improved flexibility and decreased sensor shooter timeline. Sea Guardian is totally capable to interact and share details with P-8I multirole maritime ASW aircraft.
Negotiations are going on with the US based Boeing business for a contract of 10 Naval Ship borne Unmanned Aerial Systems. In reality when the US Defense Secretary visits India next week this will be topping the agenda for discussions.
Induction of NSUS is anticipated quickly
These are ship launched tactical unmanned aircraft, that would provide cover to ships on Mission Based Deployment or Pichet ships which are operating away from shore based air assistance potential to create MDA with out any electronic emissions emanating from the mother ship. The stealth and surprise each can be maintained while continuing tracking the vessel of interest.
How will these support the Indian Navy?
All these new unmanned inductions are quite essential as there has been a spurt in UUVs incidents across the globe. And in the case of the Indian Navy’s air ASW platform, the arrival of MH-60 R is nonetheless awaited and the Dunking Sonar has aged.
During this period, it becomes quite essential for the Navy to induct each HALE and NSUS at the earliest. The intriguing reality about the Quad (India, the US, Japan and Australia) meeting is that all the 4 members have wonderful interest in the Sea Guardian and are operating P8-I and MH-60R.
Interoperability
Once the HALE drones are inducted in the navy they can be made use of for surveillance, and the P-8Is will be for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) roles. The Sea Guardian can fly in sync with its P-8Is.
Since each India and the US have inked the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, the US origin platforms will get encrypted systems which are anticipated to additional increase their capabilities.
This requires the interoperability amongst the two to the next level. And will be of wonderful support when the navies of the Quad go in for the next Malabar physical exercise.
Unmanned Minesweepers?
The navy is keen to get the unmanned minesweepers. The US Navy and the Royal Navy currently have these in service. These minesweepers are made use of for triggering contemporary naval mines with out endangering manned vessels or crew.