Context:
Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft landed at Guam, a US island territory in Western Pacific, to participate in Exercise Sea Dragon – 24.
Relevance:
GS III Security Challenges
Exercise Sea Dragon-24: Multinational Maritime Collaboration
- Objective: Enhance collaboration and teamwork among participating navies through professional exchanges.
- Participating Countries: India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the US.
Focus Areas:
- Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW): Locating and neutralizing enemy submarines beneath the seas.
- Surface Warfare: Coordinated attacks on hostile surface vessels using advanced weaponry and tactics.
- Air Defence: Establishing an impenetrable air barrier for the safety of friendly forces.
- Search and Rescue (SAR): Tracking down and rescuing maritime personnel in distress.
- Communication and Coordination: Synchronizing activities across platforms and seamless information exchange.
Key Aspects of the P8I Aircraft:
- Versatility: A potent force multiplier in maritime operations.
- Long-Range Surveillance: Scans vast ocean areas, identifying hostile movements from considerable distances.
- Multi-sensor Fusion: Integrates electronic intelligence systems, sonars, and onboard radars for a comprehensive maritime picture.
- Anti-submarine Warfare Capability: Equipped with depth charges and torpedoes, posing a serious threat to enemy submarines.
- Communication Relay: Serves as a crucial means of communication between various participating fleets’ forces.
