The News
- India’s indigenously designed classified missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship (OSS) is all set to undergo sea trials.
Key Highlights
- It will be India’s first ocean surveillance ship-VC11184, which will strengthen the country’s strategic weapons program.
- The OSS will function under National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) to support ballistic missile defence (BMD) program of India.
- India will become the fifth country to operate similar platforms after China, France, Russia, and the United States.
About VC11184
- The OSS is powered by two 9,000 kW engines capable of attaining a speed of 21 knots.
- It uses AESA radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array) in X-Band and S-Band frequencies.
- The OSS is designed to track enemy missiles and monitor indigenous strategic missiles.
- The top deck of the vessel has space for multiple missile tracking antennas and a helicopter.
About National Technical Research Organisation
- It is the primary advisor on security issues to the Prime Minister.
- It is the sole technical intelligence agency working under National Security Advisor.
- NTRO’s activities include:
- Satellite and terrestrial monitoring.
- Gathering electronic intelligence, developing technologies related to cryptology, cybersecurity and data management.
- Monitoring domestic strategic missile and under-development ballistic missile defence (BMD) programmes.