China deploying underwater drones in Indian Ocean for naval intelligence purposes: Report
China is reportedly deploying a raft of underwater drones named Sea Wing (Haiyi) in the Indian Ocean for gathering naval intelligence.
Leading defence analyst HI Sutton, in an article in the Forbes magazine, claimed that these drones can operate for months on end and make observations for naval intelligence purposes
He further said that these drones, called Sea Wing (Haiyi) gliders, being deployed "en masse" by China in large numbers are a type of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV). These sea gliders were launched in mid-December 2019 and were recovered in February after making over 3,400 observations.
Citing government sources, Sutton further said that the Chinese deployed gliders are similar to the ones deployed by the United States Navy that China had seized in 2016 to ensure safe navigation of passing ships.
"Taken at face value, it may be surprising that China is now deploying these types of UUV en masse in the Indian Ocean. China has also deployed the Sea Wing from an ice breaker in the Arctic," Sutton said.
He also pointed out that reports of last year suggested 14 gliders would be deployed in the Indian Ocean mission but only 12 were deployed. According to HI Sutton, the gliders are employed for long-range missions, though they are not fast or agile but, they are empowered with larger wings to glide but can run for long periods.
Earlier this month, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat had said that the Indo-Pacific region is witnessing a race for strategic places and bases which will gain further momentum in future.
