India and the United States are on the verge of finalizing an agreement to jointly manufacture sonobuoys—advanced devices essential for tracking undersea submarines. The collaboration involves U.S.-based Ultra Maritime and India’s public sector enterprise, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The initiative aims to strengthen undersea domain awareness for both nations.
The project was a key topic during a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Monday. A statement from the White House, released on Tuesday, welcomed the progress in discussions and highlighted the significance of this partnership. “This will be through a first-of-its-kind partnership on co-production of U.S. sonobuoys in support of the U.S. and Indian defence industrial bases,” the statement read.
Sonobuoys are sophisticated devices primarily used in maritime operations for underwater detection and monitoring. These tools play a critical role in anti-submarine warfare and oceanographic research. Militaries deploy sonobuoys from aircraft or ships, which float on the water’s surface or descend to a predetermined depth. Each device is equipped with a hydrophone (an underwater microphone) and a transmitter to detect and relay underwater sounds, such as the noise generated by submarine engines.
In addition to the Sonobuoy project, Sullivan and Doval discussed broader defence cooperation, including joint efforts between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and India’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). These efforts aim to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge commercial technologies for military applications, enhancing the defence ecosystems of both nations.
Key developments in U.S.-India defence collaboration were also acknowledged, including:
- India’s acquisition of MQ-9B drones.
- The potential co-production of land warfare systems.
- Continued progress under the U.S.-India Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation.
The White House further highlighted advancements in talks between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the co-production of GE F414-INS6 engines, which will power India’s next-generation fighter aircraft. Additionally, the launch of an AI-based Multi-Domain Situational Awareness product, developed jointly by General Atomics and India’s 114ai, was noted as a significant milestone in expanding defence partnerships.
These collaborative initiatives underscore the growing strategic and technological ties between the two nations, paving the way for enhanced defence capabilities and industrial innovation.
Ravi Shankar
