UDA Framework

75% of Earth is Water

Including 5% freshwater comprising of the ice cover and it is such an important component for human survival and prosperity. Managing the underwater domain offers immense economic and ecological opportunities. Sustainable blue economy, climate change risk management, strategic security, digital transformation, freshwater and energy management, and food security are all directly linked to it. Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) is a critical first step in managing this new frontier of human endeavor.

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UDA Framework

The 21st century emphasized Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) post-9/11 and the 26/11 episode in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). However, MDA remained security-driven and lacked depth. The proposed Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework by the Maritime Research Center (MRC) and M/S NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd (NDT) offers a structured, comprehensive, and inclusive alternative. Yet, the conventional approach of stakeholders pursuing their own UDA efforts is resource-intensive, limiting access and perpetuating inequitable distribution of global resources, leading to unrest. It’s time to shift towards universal systems to minimize resource disparity and foster global peace and harmony.

The figure provides a clear path for stakeholders to engage effectively, fostering focused interaction and a defined framework. It encourages collaboration among diverse entities, pooling resources for safe, secure, and sustainable growth.

 

Balancing Growth and Security Below the Surface

Blue Economy

Optimizing ocean resources, including shipping, fishing, and deep sea mining, is crucial for sustainable economic growth, necessitating effective Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for planning and extraction.

Acoustic Capacity and Capability Building

UDA extends beyond security, evolving into a comprehensive framework. It empowers stakeholders to harness underwater potential, promoting innovation and actionable insights across domains.

Science and Technology

Comprehending the undersea ecosystem, its interactions, and human impact necessitates continuous research, essential for informed decisions on environmental preservation and sustainable development."

National Security

Maintaining undersea security involves defending Sea Lines of Communication, coastlines, and maritime assets against submarines and mines aiming to restrict sea and littoral access.

Environment and Disaster Management

Human maritime activities harm the environment, posing a threat to sustainability. Utilizing Effective Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) can enhance underwater environmental management and ensure responsible growth.

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Learning Center

Access various modules available in the course designed and conceptualized by Team MRC

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UDA
Digest

Bringing together diverse views via short articles, issue briefs, expert articles, commentaries, creative content.

Platforms

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Knowledge Center

Explore curated research, innovation, and case studies in maritime security, blue economy, and beyond.

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UDA Dialogue

Explore curated research, innovation, and case studies in maritime security, blue economy, and beyond.

UDA Framework's Impact

The UDA framework is built upon five key pillars: research, skilling, academia, innovation, and strategy. Research involves understanding urban development challenges, skilling focuses on training professionals, academia emphasizes collaboration and knowledge sharing, innovation drives the adoption of new technologies, and strategy ensures effective planning. The MRC and NDT have made notable contributions to each of these dimensions as presented in our Annual Report.

Capacity and Capability Building for

Indo-Pacific Strategic Space

The UDA framework ensures nuanced policy & technology interventions along with Acoustic Capacity & Capability building for safe, secure, sustainable growth for all in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific strategic space. The pooling of resources and synergizing of efforts will optimize resource deployment and encourage broader participation by the global south. MRC and NDT are working with partners to establish Center of Excellence across the world with multilateral and bilateral partners. Additionally, our skilling handbook serves as a vital tool in this endeavor, providing comprehensive guidance and training resources to enhance the capabilities of individuals and organizations involved in maritime activities within the region.

Marine Spatial Planning

The Digital Transformation has become a buzzword and the maritime community is referring to it as Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). NDT has developed unique MSP capabilities to serve the entire marine and freshwater applications. The proposed MSP formulation is unique in terms of its cost efficiency and broad effectiveness across the stakeholders. The tropical challenges are very well addressed and also the high innovation level makes it user friendly. 

Resonance among Stakeholders

MRC team featured in Global Maritime Innovation Challenge: Narwhal Challenge. Only team from Asia among the Four finalists. Raksha Rajya Mantri recommended considering UDA framework as a National Priority. Indian Navy recognized NDT/MRC to be pioneers in initiating the National UDA discourse in India. Indian National Shipping Association (INSA), recognized NDT/MRC efforts in promoting sustainable growth in the maritime sector.

Our Activities

Policy Intervention

  • MRC drafted an interim report for NITI Aayog on National Capacity & Capability Building for the UDA framework. Proposed establishing seven Centers of Excellence (CoEs) across diverse sectors. The report has been circulated to the appropriate authorities for their comments and guidance.

  • DG Shipping sent MRC’s paper to IMO for MEPC-76, proposing a digital tool for mapping underwater noise. Accepted by IMO, India is now lead nation for underwater noise in IOR, enhancing its global role in sustainable shipping policy.

  • Dr. (Cdr) Arnab Das actively contributed expertise to discussions at the Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference, with a special focus on “Underwater Domain Awareness: Security and Economic Dimensions.”

Technology Intervention

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a collaborative approach to balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects of marine activities. It integrates advanced data analysis and addresses unique marine domain needs for sustainable ocean management, ensuring prosperity for future generations.

Capacity and Capability Building

The UDA framework advances in three steps: outreach, engagement, and capacity building. Outreach efforts include webinars, seminars, workshops, and conferences to sensitize students, stakeholders, policy holders, and practitioners. Exclusive UDA events are organized for a focused audience. Engagement spans multiple levels, offering internships and fellowships to youth. Academic, skilling, and innovation programs sustain acoustic capacity & capability building.

Our Recognition

The Maritime Research Center (MRC), Pune, is a technology-driven think tank, while M/S NirDhwani Technologies Pvt Ltd (NDT) specializes in underwater technologies. With over five years of operation, MRC emphasizes research, while NDT focuses on innovative field deployments. Both have received recognition for their work.

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MRC SIRO Recognition

MRC is a recognized Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) recognized by the Ministry of Science & Technology.

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Strategic Partnership

MRC is a valued knowledge partner to the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) of the Government of India, fostering collaboration and expertise.

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Maritime Partnership

MRC is a dedicated knowledge partner to the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), contributing to their innovative Digital Oceans program.

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NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog initiated a project to draft the comprehensive national capacity building policy for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA).

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Policy Paper Accepted

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) accepted our policy paper on underwater security framework.

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DG Shipping

The DG Shipping forwarded MRC’s paper on underwater noise to the IMO, resulting in India’s nomination as the lead nation for IOR.

Our Publications

Discover relevant publications shedding light on UDA

Design And Development of AUV's For Underwater Ambient Noise Validation.

Project focuses on AUVs for underwater noise measurement, covering AUV design.

Effective Deployment Of Passive Sonar Simulator.

The article stresses passive sonar's role in submarines and proposes tech upgrades for improved operations.

Underwater Channel Modelling-3D Aspect In The Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Ocean acoustics studies underwater sound for diverse applications, employing hybrid models.

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    The Maritime Research Center (MRC), Pune is a not-for-profit, Section 8 company registered with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), as Foundation for Underwater Domain Awareness.

    Contact Information

    Address: Aquamarine A3, 203, Nyati Esteban, Undri, Pune – 411060
    Email: director.mrc@foundationforUDA.in

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    UDA*

    The conventional approach of each of the stakeholders pursuing their own UDA* efforts has serious limitations given the highly resource intensive field experimental research initiative required for a long period. Click here for more