
Context:
India and USA announced Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA)
Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) Initiative
- Announced during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the USA.
- Objective – Aims to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Focus Area – Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA).
- Significance for India –
- Strengthens regional security by detecting possible security risks such as piracy, terrorism, and interstate conflicts.
- Ensures economic and sustainability interests with opportunities in the blue economy and environmental management.
- Enhances India’s regional diplomacy by building trust and cooperation in the maritime domain.
- Technologies Involved –
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Includes 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.
- Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR): Bathymetric LIDAR uses water-penetrating green light to measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Includes Remotely Operated UUVs and Autonomous UVs equipped with sophisticated sensors and cameras.
Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA):
- A maritime concept that involves using technology, strategies, and policies to monitor and manage activities and conditions under the sea
- Challenges –
- Dependence on foreign technology.
- Specialized acoustic requirements due to tropical environments and underwater topography.
- Lack of coordination among maritime security agencies.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC)’, consider the following statements:
1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional is a regional forum in which representatives of government, business, and Academia promoting cooperation and a closer interaction. It was established in 1997 and formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim initiative.
Maritime security, trade, and investment, disaster risk reduction, academic and scientific Corporation, cultural exchange, blue economy, empowerment of women, and fisheries management are identified as eight priorities area of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.