The IFC: Challenges in Building a Regional Maritime DomainAwareness System

Abstract

Since the turn of this century there has been a growing realisation among security analysts about the importance of maritime domain awareness (MDA) as an essential enabler of maritime security. Of course, understanding the position and likely intention of maritime actors has always been a big concern of navies – it is something they have always done in relation to rivals and enemies. But recent advances in sensor and computing technology render it technically possible to create a networked real time picture that allows for a shared understanding of threats and developments—both civil and military—in the maritime domain. However, actually implementing an MDA system also involves overcoming some formidable technical, organisational, and legal hurdles.