Chinese Ocean Float Found Off Indian Coast, Purpose Uncertain

Chennai, India (March 22nd, 2024) – A recent discovery by Indian fishermen off the coast of Tamil Nadu has raised questions about Chinese oceanographic activities in the region.

The fishermen recovered an HM2000 profiling float, a Chinese-made autonomous instrument used for collecting ocean data. News of the find quickly spread after a video documenting the event went viral on Instagram.

What is the HM2000?​

Developed by the Qingdao Hisun Ocean Equipment Corporation, the HM2000 profiling float is specifically designed for oceanographic research. It's equipped with advanced sensors (SBE41 or SBE41CP CTD) that collect crucial data points, including conductivity, temperature, and depth.

This information has historically been used to study circulation patterns in the western Pacific Ocean.

Float Operations and Questions Raised​

The HM2000 follows the Argo program protocol, operating autonomously in recurring cycles. Each cycle involves a descent, a drifting period, an ascent during which data is collected, transmission of data to the surface, and a repeated descent. These floats have an average lifespan of 2-3 years.

The float's discovery in Indian waters has prompted widespread curiosity and some concerns. Investigations are now underway to determine how the Chinese instrument ended up so far from its usual area of operation.

Implications and Further Investigation​

The incident highlights the interconnectedness of global oceans and the potential implications of oceanographic data collection by foreign powers within Indian territorial waters. Authorities will be working to trace the float's path and determine its purpose in the region.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

sneaky chinese.

 

[Bharat007]

I told before.....China is using such tactics to survey. It will be useful for covert submarine operation in the future. Years ago, I think it was either Malaysian or Indonesian fishermen that found autonomous underwater drones made by China. China is /sneaky/agressive in everything and India needs to beat them in similar manner.

 

[Varaaah]

So copy it and launch them in the South China Sea.

 

[Sunnyj]

They’ve learned from US sub mistakes and accident, getting their maps ready for future wham-bam.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to equip our navy and coast guard ships with the appropriate technology, kit to search, find out and destroy these floats as they are a threat because some can even be rigged with explosives. Our ships already use our indigenous sonar but they should improve our underwater detection of these small underwater threats.

 

[Ketan Yadav]

For such kind of repetitive concerns in maritime domain, it will be better to have a integrated undersea surveillance system (sensors) alongside aerial surveillance. It will be good to autonomously share real data about any ambiguous activity in Indian Ocean.