IPMDA: Quad’s Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative Explained
Why in the news
Maritime security experts called for faster progress on IPMDA, citing the need for free trade flows and navigation freedom amid tension in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Key facts
- Members: the Quad, i.e. India, Australia, Japan and the US.
- Output: a shared, near-real-time maritime picture covering the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
- Announced: Tokyo Summit, May 2022.
- Character: non-military, a public good for regional maritime transparency.
Data sources fused
| Source | Full form |
|---|---|
| RF data | Commercial satellite radio-frequency data |
| SAR | Synthetic Aperture Radar |
| AIS | Automatic Identification System |
Purpose
- Track dark vessels.
- Prevent illegal maritime activity.
- Protect Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).
Exam angle
- Launched by Quad leaders, Tokyo, May 2022.
- Related terms: dark vessels, SLOCs, AIS.