India Looks at Integrating More Countries into Coastal Radar Network

India looks at integrating more countries into coastal radar network

India is in talks with Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh to set up coastal radar stations as part of efforts to further expand the coastal radar chain network meant to enable real-time monitoring of the high seas for threats.

Aim of this initiative

The aim of the proposed projects with Bangladesh, Myanmar and Maldives is to enhance existing landbased radar capabilities in India, using small, lightweight airborne platforms along the coastline for high resolution maritime surveillance. Such a move comes amidst heightened concerns over cross-border incursions by sophisticated maritime forces. Thus, enhancing the capability of coastal radar systems in India is viewed as an important component of the country's overall security architecture.

What is Coastal Surveillance Systems?

Coastal Surveillance Systems (CSS) are mission-critical solutions based on the latest software and equipment. The systems ensure full control over an entire coastline area by providing accurate detection, tracking, and identification of small and high-speed targets that enter the coastal zone under surveillance.

Other Developments in this Region

Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC): The Information Management and Analysis Centre of Indian Navy was approved in 2012 and operationalized in 2014. It is located at the Gurugram Air Force Station.

White Shipping agreements: White Shipping Agreement is a technical term related to the exchange agreement between the navies of countries on the commercial ships on each others’ oceanic territories.   Indian Navy has been authorised to conclude white shipping agreements with 36 countries and three multilateral constructs. So far agreements have been concluded with 22 countries and one multilateral construct.

Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region(IFC-IOR): The IFC has been established at Gurugram, India and is collocated with Information Management and Analysis Centre which is jointly administered by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. IFC-IOR is established with the vision of strengthening maritime security in the region and beyond, by building a common coherent maritime situation picture and acting as a maritime information hub for the region.