THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS), an automatic system designed by an Israeli agency and capable of identifying, tracking and generating warning for all types of surface and underwater threats to harbour security, has been installed at Kochi Naval harbour.
Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba unveiled the system, a first in the country, under the Navy’s initiative to strengthen coastline security.
Israel Aerospace Industries ‘ELTA’ of Israel designed IUHDSS, which comprises advanced coastal surveillance radars, electro-optic sensors and SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) for detecting presence of divers and other underwater threats to security.
Post 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Indian Navy was tasked with ensuring the security of the country’s 7,516-km coastline, covering nine coastal states and four union territories.
Commanders-in-Chief of the three naval commands were designated as C-in-C Coastal Security.
The task involved coordination with other stakeholders like Coast Guard, Marine Police and Fisheries.
The setting up of Sagar Prahari Bal, availability of Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) and commissioning of the IUHDSS are part of Navy’s efforts to beef up security of its own harbours.
It will operate under the control of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Kerala).
