The Indian Navy inaugurated the newly constructed Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, bearing state-of-the-art infrastructure at Gurugram, here on Thursday. The facility was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS).
Established in 2018, the IFC-IOR has grown into a vital regional maritime information hub, fostering collaboration, coordination, and commitment towards a common goal, which is ensuring maritime safety and security across the vast and dynamic Indian Ocean Region.
A statement from the naval spokesperson mentioned that IFC-IOR is a unique Centre where International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from partner nations collaborate to counter challenges to maritime safety and security. IFC-IOR actively collaborates with 54 other maritime security constructs and another 28 partner countries towards ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous IOR.
Addressing the gathering, the DCNS emphasised the myriad maritime safety and security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and highlighted the importance of enhanced maritime collaboration and trust-based partnerships among regional nations.
“IFC-IOR’s mission aligns seamlessly with the tenets of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR), underscoring the need for security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region,” he said.
Through active collaborations with 54 maritime security constructs and 28 partner countries, IFC-IOR has been instrumental in advancing this vision.
The state-of-the-art infrastructure will facilitate hosting of International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from 26 partner countries and constructs, including IORA and DCoC/ JA. The presence of ILOs ensures prompt information sharing and expedites coordination of operational responses. In addition, the newly launched IFC-IOR Software – MANTRA (Maritime Analytic Tool for Regional Awareness) will further strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness by providing robust monitoring of commercial shipping activities throughout the region, the statement added.