India, US join hands to manufacture sonobuoys for undersea submarine tracking

India and the US are collaborating to manufacture sonobuoys necessary for tracking undersea submarines. US company Ultra Maritime and Indian Public Sector Undertaking Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will produce these sonobuoys in India.

The project was discussed during a meeting between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Monday. A statement from the White House released early on Tuesday highlighted the collaboration, stating: “This will be through a first-of-its-kind partnership on co-production of US sonobuoys in support of the US and Indian defence industrial bases.”

The acquisition of sonobuoys is expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities amid growing maritime threats. These sonobuoys will be integrated with the Indian Navy’s submarine-hunting MH-60R helicopters. India has purchased 24 MH-60R helicopters from the US. The sonobuoys can also be deployed from the Indian Navy’s fleet of Boeing P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft. Additionally, the MQ-9B Sea Guardian Predator drones, which the Navy is acquiring, will also be capable of deploying these sonobuoys.

The need for these sonobuoys has increased as China now operates one of the largest submarine fleets, with around 65 submarines, and is assisting Pakistan with submarine technology. China has also encouraged Bangladesh in this domain, even gifting a submarine to the country. On the eastern edge of the Bay of Bengal lies Myanmar, where China has established a presence.

A sonobuoy is an advanced device primarily used in maritime operations for underwater detection and monitoring. It is a critical tool in anti-submarine warfare. Sonobuoys are deployed by military forces from aircraft or ships. Once in the water, they either float on the surface or sink to a designated depth. Each sonobuoy contains a transmitter and a hydrophone (an underwater microphone), which detects underwater sounds, such as those produced by submarine engines.

This joint venture between Ultra Maritime and BDL for the “Make-in-India” initiative will differ from an ongoing project to source sonobuoys. In August last year, the US Secretary of State approved a Foreign Military Sale of anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys and related equipment to India, valued at $52.8 million for 500 units.

Meanwhile, Sullivan and Doval also discussed cooperation between the US Defence Innovation Unit and India’s Innovations for Defence Excellence to accelerate the joint adoption of cutting-edge commercial technologies for military solutions. Additionally, the two sides addressed the ongoing joint venture between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the co-production of GE F414-INS6 engines to power India’s future fighter jet fleet, including the Tejas Mark 2.