Sea Wing Underwater Drones

China has recently deployed underwater drones called Sea Wing Glider in the Indian Ocean region. The Sea Wing Glider Drone is used for Naval surveillance. It can operate for months under the sea.

What is Sea Wing Glider Drone?

The Sea Wing Glider Drone is a type of an uncrewed underwater vehicle. It was launched in December 2019.

What are the other places where China has deployed Sea Wing Glider Drone?

Apart from Indian ocean region China has also deployed the Sea Wing Glider Drone in the Arctic Ocean. Also, these drones are deployed in South China Sea, East China Sea and other waters of the Western Pacific.

What is China’s stand in use of Sea Wing Glider Drone?

According to the Chinese, Sea Wing Glider Drones have been deployed for research and development purposes.

What are the intentions of Chinese with Sea Wing Glider Drones?

According to Defence ministry, around 14 Sea Wing Glider Drones have been deployed in the Indian Ocean region. Our only 12 are being used. They have been employed for long range missions.

With the help of Sea Wing Glider Drone the Chinese are gathering oceanography data in the Indian Ocean region. It gathers information such as salinity, seawater temperature, turbidity, oxygen content, chlorophyll and ocean current changes.

What are the concerns of GoI in regard to the Sea Wing Glider Drones?

The Sea Wing Glider Drones are capable of carrying acoustic sensors such as acoustic Doppler current profile sensor, hydrophones and underwater acoustic communication devices. According to the Government of India, the Chinese might use these drones to listen to Indian Naval communication and might track Indian Naval ships in the Indian Ocean region.

China has been increasing its presence in International waters in the name of research and development. According to India, with this the Chinese are trying to disturb the sovereignty of international waters. This is against the UNCLOS (United Nations convention for the Law of the Sea).

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021