ASTRA Mk-I Missile, IMSAS and BOSS System – Key Facts

The Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh recently handed over three systems developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) to the chiefs of the Defence Forces. The IMSAS (Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System) was handed over to the Indian Naval Chief Admiral Karambir Singh. The Astra Mk-1 was handed over to the Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. BOSS, Border Surveillance System was handed over to the Army Chief General MM Naravane.

What is IMSAS?

It is an indigenous, high performance intelligent software system that provides Global Maritime Situational picture and analytical capabilities to the Indian Navy. The system provides maritime operational picture to the ships at sea from Naval Headquarters. It was developed by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR). The system was developed based on Artificial Intelligence. CAIR operates under DRDO focusing on robotics and AI.

In order to strengthen its surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region, India has been building its own maritime awareness and mission planning measures. One such is TRIGUN. Trigun was developed by CAIR. It has the capability to collect all the data about military and civil vessel, aircraft and submarines. The first phase of the system was completed in 2012, second phase in March 2020. The third phase is to be completed by 2024. This sophistication of TRIGUN increases the awareness capabilities of Indian Navy and is a part of Marine Domain Awareness Programme.

BOSS

It is an all-weather electronic surveillance system. It was developed by the Instruments Research and Development Establishment operating under DRDO. The system is deployed in Ladakh border area. It monitors Line of Actual Control by automatically detecting intrusions in harsh high-altitude sub-zero temperature areas with remote operation capability.

ASTRA Mk-1

ASTRA weapon system was developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory. It is an indigenously developed first beyond range missile that can be launched from Light Combat Aircraft, Sukhoi-30, Mig-29 and Mig-29K.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020