Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for Blue Economy

Source: This post Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for Blue Economy has been created based on the article “Needed: An underwater PM Gati Shakti”, published in the Business Standard on 3^rd May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy – Blue Economy

Context: The article highlights the vast economic opportunities offered by the oceans for India, which remain largely untapped despite holding immense wealth and resources. Focussing on Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) can be a game changer.

The development of good Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) is crucial for exploiting these economic opportunities. UDA technology involves underwater and space-based sensors for providing the information on availability of resources in the ocean.

Significance of Blue economy for India

First, India’s maritime domain is nearly as vast as its land area and contains 80% of the nation’s resources but contributes only 4% to its GDP.

Second, the potential for growth through the blue economy, encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, shipping, offshore energy, and deep-sea mining, is substantial.

Third, it could propel India towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy by generating millions of jobs and trillions in revenue.

Fourth, Deep-sea minerals, including polymetallic nodules and rare earths, hold boundless value, with advancing technology making their sustainable extraction feasible in the near future. The nation quickest to harness the opportunities in open maritime territories may control the resources and territory in the long run.

What are the challenges in acquiring Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) technology?

Protected technology: These technologies are closely guarded by developed countries. India must focus on indigenous development of underwater sensor technology to overcome challenges related to cost.

Unique oceanic conditions: Present technologies are suitable for cold and temperate oceans, which differs completely to the tropical conditions of the Indian Ocean.

Expensive: Lastly these technologies are costly.

How India can develop Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA)?

First, India’s approach should include strengthening its domestic capabilities in sensor technology and chip development.

Second, UDA requires use of thousands of datasets to work properly. The design of data gathered by government are not suitable. An open-API framework could facilitate data sharing and enable the development of AI applications in maritime domain awareness.

Third, A strategic initiative similar to the PM Gati Shakti plan for terrestrial development should be established for economic UDA. This would organize and enhance the efficiency of data collection and usage across various maritime sectors.

The concept of “Smart Maritime Zones”, like smart cities could be advanced under the Gati Shakti plan. These zones would use technology-driven maritime spatial planning to ensure the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.