Upgrading India's Maritime Vigilance: Indian Navy's IMAC To Transform Into 'National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre'

In a strategic move to bolster maritime security, the Indian Navy's Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram is poised for a significant upgrade.

Originally established in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the IMAC is on track to evolve into the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) centre within the next three years.

The NMDA Centre is envisaged as a collaborative hub, bringing together personnel from 15 agencies spanning seven Ministries.

Its primary objective is to facilitate real-time exchange of critical maritime information, enhancing India's capability to monitor and respond to maritime threats effectively.

Bharat Electronics Limited has taken the lead as the integrator for both software and hardware components of the NMDA.

The contractual agreements for this transformative initiative are nearing conclusion, with a projected timeline of three years for its full execution.

Approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in 2012, the IMAC, operational since 2014 and established at a cost of Rs 450 crore, serves as the nodal centre for the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence System (NC3I).

This system plays a pivotal role in linking operational centres and lower echelons of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, providing comprehensive coverage along India's expansive coastline, including its island territories.

Key functions of the IMAC include tracking vessels on the high seas through data assimilated from various sources.

These sources encompass coastal radars, white shipping agreements, automatic identification systems or AIS transponders fitted on merchant ships, air and traffic management systems, and global shipping databases.

As the contract finalisation approaches, this initiative signifies a crucial stride toward a more secure and vigilant maritime domain.