Competition with China in the sea: Indian Navy will buy drones and underwater surveillance platforms, will increase surveillance of Dragon in the Indian Ocean

To counter China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has prepared a plan to increase its surveillance capability. Under this plan, the Navy will increase the number of Unmanned Aerial (Drone) and Underwater Surveillance Platforms in the next few years. News agency PTI has given this information quoting people related to this matter.

PTI said in its report, this purchase will be done under the roadmap for unmanned platform. It was finalized last month at a conference of top naval commanders. The need for procuring new age platforms was discussed in the conference.

Another person privy to the matter said, "Given the recent developments in the Indian Ocean region, the main focus will be on increasing surveillance of strategically important waterways." He said that the Navy wants to enhance its capabilities in the areas of Long Range Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Surveillance.

People familiar with the matter said, the Indian Navy is looking to procure 30 multi-mission armed predator drones from the US, which will cost around Rs 22,000 crore. He said the government may clear the deal by March next year. These drones are capable of firing missiles as well as doing surveillance work.

The Indian Navy has pursued this procurement proposal, but still each of the three services is likely to get 10 drones each.