Page 19 - ADT APRIL 2022 Online Magazine

Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III; the introduction armed version of the drone can be used both for surveillance as
of the helicopters, which are fitted with modern well as for decimating enemy targets from standoff distances.
surveillance radar and electro-optical equip-
ment for long-range maritime reconnaissance, [ SEA ]
will provide a boost to the country’s maritime Multi-pronged Approach
security. The Indian Navy’s plan for protecting maritime assets include a
mix of manned and unmanned platforms. In March, the Indian Navy
The SeaGuardian, which features a multi- commissioned the second Boeing P-8I long-range maritime patrol
mode maritime surface-search radar with an aircraft squadron INAS 316 ‘Condors’ in Goa. INAS 316 will operate
inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imag- four P-8I aircraft that was acquired in 2016 as part of a US$1 billion
ing mode, an automatic identification system deal. In 2009, the service had acquired eight P-8Is under a US$2.2
(AIS) receiver, and a high-definition – full-motion billion deal; th MPA are a part of the 312A Naval Air Squadron
video sensor equipped with optical and infrared based at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. The Defence Ministry has
cameras, is the naval derivative of the MQ-9B already approved a proposal for procurement of six more P-8Is,
SkyGuardian and is specifically configured for but the potential deal is now under review as part of the overall
maritime ISR missions. Providing all-weather review of all defence imports and the stress on localization of arms
capability and full compliance with STANAG- manufacturing.
4671 (NATO UAS airworthiness standard), the
drones also have a collision-avoidance radar According to the Indian Navy, the P-8Is are a potent platform
that enables flexible operations in civil airspace. for maritime surveillance and strike, electronic warfare missions,
search and rescue, as well as providing targeting data to weapon
The JCG will use the SeaGuardian to conduct platforms and time-critical surveillance information to the Army and
wide-area maritime surveillance to support the Air Force. It is also the platform of choice for detecting and
its missions that include search and rescue, neutralising enemy ships and submarines in the IOR, according to
disaster response, and maritime law enforce- the service. Meanwhile, even as it enhances its anti-submarine and
ment. The project follows a series of successful anti-surface warfare capabilities, India has signed an agreement
JCG flight trials in 2020 that used the drone with the U.S. to acquire Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes to be fitted
to validate JCG’s missions in accordance with on P-8I MPA aircraft.
Japan’s “Policy on Strengthening the Maritime
Security Systems,” by using unmanned aerial Worried about Russia and China warming up to each other and
vehicles to perform maritime wide-area sur- considering the Sino-Russian joint patrol in the Tsugaru Strait late
veillance. last year, India is likely to spend about US$263m on procuring
Varunastra, Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes and heavyweight torpe-
According to Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI, the does between 2021-2031. The acquisition of MK-54 torpedoes will
SeaGuardian’s “ability to provide affordable, provide the Indian Navy, the ability to strike Chinese threats in the
extremely long-endurance airborne surveillance Indian Ocean, according to defence analysts.
with long-range sensors in the maritime domain In a fillip to the ‘‘Make in India” initiative, Bharat Heavy Electricals
is unprecedented.” The drone features a multi- Limited (BHEL) will supply an upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount
mode maritime surface-search radar with an (SRGM), the main gun onboard most warships of the Indian Navy.
Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imag- The features of the upgraded SRGM include the capability to
ing mode, an Automatic Identification System manage different types of ammunition to engage fast, manoeuvring
(AIS) receiver, and High-Definition – Full-Motion and non-manoeuvring, radio-controlled targets.
Video sensor equipped with optical and infrared
cameras. This sensor suite enables real-time
detection and identification of surface vessels
over thousands of square nautical miles and
provides automatic tracking of maritime targets
and correlation of AIS transmitters with radar
tracks.

The three services of the Indian military had
initially planned to acquire 30 armed MQ-9B
drones, but budgetary constraints and the push
for developing the local defence industry have
forced a change of plans. The Indian Navy is
aware of the capabilities of the SeaGuardian,
having leased two such drones to track activ-
ities in the Indian Ocean region, following the
country’s tense border standoff with China. The

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