New Delhi, India, and the United States are teaming up to develop sonobuoys, which are essential for tracking submarines beneath the ocean’s surface. The collaboration involves discussions between the American company Ultra Maritime and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a public sector enterprise in India, aimed at boosting undersea awareness. This initiative was highlighted during a meeting between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Monday. Following the meeting, the White House issued a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that this partnership marks a groundbreaking effort in co-producing US sonobuoys to strengthen both nations’ defense industries. With China boasting a substantial submarine fleet of around 65 vessels and providing technological support to Pakistan, as well as fostering military ties with Bangladesh and Myanmar, the need for enhanced maritime surveillance has become increasingly critical. Sonobuoys are advanced devices crucial for underwater detection and monitoring, playing a vital role in anti-submarine warfare and oceanographic studies. These tools are typically deployed from aircraft or ships, either floating on the surface or sinking to a specific depth. Each sonobuoy is equipped with a transmitter and a hydrophone, which acts as an underwater microphone, capturing sounds from the depths, including the distinct noises produced by submarine engines. In addition to the sonobuoy discussions, Sullivan and Doval also explored potential collaboration between the US Defence Innovation Unit and India’s Innovations for Defence Excellence, aiming to fast-track the integration of innovative commercial technologies into military applications, thereby enhancing the defense capabilities of both countries.
