Underwater drones deployed by Chinese in Indian Ocean, says report

Team Udayavani, Dec 31, 2020, 4:03 PM IST

New Jersey: Defence Analyst HI Sutton has in a Forbes Magazine report mentioned that Chinese are deploying “en masse” water drones in the Indian Ocean region(IOR).

These underwater drones called Sea Wing (Haiyi) glider, which can operate for months on end were launched in mid-December 2019 and recovered in February after making over 3,400 observations.

According to Sutton, China has used around 12 such underwater drones in the IOR were reportedly gathering oceanography data transmitting information back to their mother ship via tail aerials, such data is commonly gathered for naval intelligence and submarine warfare operations.

Earlier this month Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said there has been a “race for strategic places and bases” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) which is only going to gain momentum in times to come.

Noting the rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat earlier this month had said the world is witnessing a race for strategic bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adding that it is only going to gain momentum in the times to come.

“At present, there are over 120 warships of extra-regional forces deployed in the Indian Ocean region in support of various missions. Till now the region, by and large, remained peaceful,” Gen, Rawat said at the Global Security Summit.

“Based on challenges we face as a rising regional power, we require structured long-term planning for capability building and capability development of our defence forces.

“In our quest to build a stronger India, we need a peaceful and stable security environment. We need to maintain our strategic autonomy and cooperative relations underscored by strong regional linkages,” he said.

The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical for India’s strategic interests. China has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in the region.