India and Australia Launch Joint Project to Advance Undersea Surveillance Technology
India and Australia have taken a significant step forward in strengthening maritime domain awareness by launching their inaugural science and technology project to enhance undersea surveillance capabilities. This joint initiative was announced during the visit of Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles to India, marking a notable advancement in bilateral defense cooperation.
The collaborative research project, spanning three years, involves Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically its Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory. The focus of the project will be on developing sophisticated techniques to detect and track submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles.
A crucial component of the project is the Towed Array Target Motion Analysis, which integrates advanced algorithms and hydrophone arrays to monitor undersea activities. Amanda Bessell from DSTG highlighted that this method is essential for passive surveillance, enabling accurate estimation of a target's position and movement without compromising the observer's location.
The towed array system, which consists of a series of hydrophones trailing behind a vessel, gathers underwater acoustic data that is processed to identify and classify potential threats. Senior researcher Sanjeev Arulampalam explained that this technology not only enhances directional sensing but also minimizes signal distortion from background noise, thereby improving tracking accuracy.
The project will involve data sharing, live trials, and testing of algorithm performance, allowing both countries to leverage their combined technological capabilities. According to Suneel Randhawa, Chief of the Information Sciences Division at DSTG, with the evolving nature of the underwater battlespace, notably the increase in autonomous underwater systems, such innovations are crucial.
Officials anticipate that the research could influence the development of future undersea surveillance systems and bolster the strategic deterrence abilities of both nations. The collaboration also highlights the strengthening defense partnership between India and Australia, especially within the Indo-Pacific region.
By combining resources and technical know-how, the two countries aim to expedite innovation and deliver effective undersea detection technologies tailored to modern maritime security challenges.
