India-U.S. Collaboration on Sonobuoys for Undersea Domain Awareness
Context:
With the growing concerns over the expanding Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean, India and the U.S. have announced a partnership for the co-production of sonobuoys.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Defence)
About Sonobuoys:
- Sonobuoys are advanced underwater sensors that are used for undersea domain awareness (UDA) to track submarines.
- It detects and monitors underwater sounds coming from ships and submarines.
- Sonobuoys are typically around 13 cm in diameter and 91 cm long.
- They enhance maritime security by enabling wide-area search through advanced acoustic technologies, including bespoke multi-static active solutions.
- How do they work?
- Sonobuoys are usually dropped from the aircraft or ships in canisters, and on hitting the water, they automatically deploy.
- A small microphone—hydrophone—picks up sounds from the underwater and transmits the information back to the aircraft or ship.
- Types: Active sonobuoys and passive sonobuoys
- Active sonobuoys: Emit sound waves and measure the echoes to locate objects or submarines.
- Passive sonobuoys: Listen for sounds without emitting any signals.
Size
Details of the Partnership:
- Ultra Maritime (U.S.) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (India) will co-produce sonobuoys following U.S. Navy standards under the “Make in India” initiative.
- The project will involve joint manufacturing and supply for the Indian Navy, improving interoperability with allied systems.
Significance:
- The collaboration is a part of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
- These sonobuoys will be compatible with platforms like the P-8I aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, and MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones used by both Indian and U.S. Navies.
- Enhances India’s defence capabilities and strengthens Quad cooperation involving the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia.
