Why in the News?

The Indian Navy Chief Admiral recently stated that the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) effort demonstrates the commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

About the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative:

• Announcement: It was announced at the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo.
• The primary objective is to track "dark shipping" and develop a more comprehensive, timely, and precise understanding of maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Geographic Coverage: IPMDA integrates three critical regions in the Indo-Pacific:
• the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean region.
• Purpose: IPMDA is a technology and training initiative aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific.
• It seeks to increase transparency in critical waterways in the region.
• Technology Utilized: Innovative technology, including the collection of commercial satellite radio frequency data, is employed.
• The goal is to provide partners across Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Pacific with near real-time information on activities occurring in their maritime zones.