What is the significance of the National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre and when is it expected to be operational

The National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre (NMDAC) is a significant facility dedicated to monitoring India's maritime domain. Here are some key points regarding its significance and expected operational timeline:

• The NMDAC is crucial for enhancing the maritime security of India by providing comprehensive surveillance and monitoring of its coastal and offshore regions.
• It aims to collect, analyze, and disseminate real-time information on vessel movements, potential threats, illegal activities, and suspicious vessels in the Indian waters.
• It will integrate multiple data sources, including naval and Coast Guard sensors, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), satellite imagery, and other surveillance systems, to create a comprehensive maritime situational awareness picture.
• The NMDAC will facilitate better coordination among various stakeholders, including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and other maritime law enforcement agencies, to effectively respond to maritime security challenges.
• The facility is expected to enhance maritime domain awareness, support search and rescue operations, prevent piracy and smuggling, protect marine resources, and identify and counter potential terrorist threats.
• The expected operational timeline for the NMDAC is not specified, as it heavily relies on the completion of infrastructure, integration of data sources, and training of personnel. However, ongoing efforts suggest that it will be operational in the near future.

Please note that the specific timeline might be subject to change based on the progress of the project.