With over two decades of experience in ocean observations, NIOT currently deploys moored buoys and drones to collect marine data. Under the new initiative, the institute is designing and manufacturing the radar and lidar systems in-house and developing algorithms to ensure high data accuracy. Laboratory testing is currently under way, followed by sea trials that could extend up to a year, depending on performance.

Prof Ramakrishnan said the project would place NIOT among a select group of institutions globally, noting that only the United States and a few European countries have so far developed radar-based systems on ocean buoys to collect atmospheric data up to 20 km in height.