US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet launches drone task force amid tensions with Iran

US Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet will launch a new task force that incorporates airborne, sailing and underwater drones. decision comes after maritime attacks linked to ongoing tensions with Iran. Although Naval officials have not shared details about which systems y would introduce from ir hequarters on island nation of Bahrain but y have revealed that in few months, drones will enhance ir capabilities, according to Associated Press.

US Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet has crucial Strait of Hormuz and narrow mouth of Persian Gulf. According to Associated Press, about 20 per cent of oil passes through it. Speaking to Associated Press, Vice miral Br Cooper, who les 5th Fleet said, "We want to put more systems out in maritime domain above, on and below sea". Cooper ded, "We want more eyes on what’s happening out re."

Drone task force 

According to United States Naval Institute News, task force, led by Captain Michael Brasseur, will expand operational use of unmanned platforms in region and experiment with concept of operations. task force will help Navy use unmanned platforms across all domains. Cooper has informed that Fifth Fleet will use a large exercise known as IMX 22 in January and February to experiment with unmanned systems. 

5th Fleet consists of shallow water areas, salty water and temperature during summer can be more than 45 degrees Celsius with high humidity and According to Cooper, environment is suitable for m to "experiment and move faster", according to AP. Furrmore, Cooper informed that if new systems can work here, y can probably work anywhere. equipment utilised by 5th Fleet's new Task Force 59 will be among those tested by Navy's Pacific Fleet in April. Ultra-long-range aerial surveillance drones, surface ships like Sea Hawk and Sea Hunter, and tiny underwater drones that look like torpedoes were also utilised in drill.

IMAGE: AP

Inputs from AP