Adani Group to deliver made-in-India sonobuoys. How this will boost Indian Navy' undersea warfare capabilities
The defence manufacturing arm of Adani Enterprises Limited, Adani Defence & Aerospace, inked a deal with a US undersea warfare company, Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC), to develop electronic sensors and navigation systems which could be used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The company signed a binding collaboration agreement with Sparton to assemble ASW solutions for the Indian Navy, the company said in a statement.
The partnership is in line with India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative as the aim is to localise the assemblage of sonobuoys and other ASW systems in India. Adani Defence & Aerospace will be the first private company in India to offer indigenous sonobuoys solutions to the Indian Navy.
Why are sonobuoys important
Sonobuoys are mission-critical platforms for enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA), providing an effective means to detect, locate, and track submarines and other underwater threats.
Typically about 13 cm in diameter and 91 cm long, they are dropped from aircraft or ships and deploy automatically upon hitting the water. These expendable, electro-mechanical acoustic sensors help detect, classify, and track submarines or other underwater threats by picking up acoustic signals.
They play a major role in modern naval operations, supporting the protection of carrier strike groups and maintaining maritime security.
In an increasingly volatile maritime environment, strengthening India's undersea warfare capabilities is not merely a strategic priority but an imperative for safeguarding sovereignty and national interests, Jeet Adani, vice president of Adani Enterprises, said, adding, "The Indian Navy requires integrated, mission-ready ISR and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including critical systems like sonobuoys, that are indigenously developed, swiftly deployable, and globally competitive."
A significant partnership
Adani Defence & Aerospace, in a statement, said it "has signed a binding collaboration agreement with Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC), a group company of Elbit Systems and a leading provider of advanced anti-submarine warfare systems. This partnership marks a significant step toward localising the assembly of complex electronic systems and advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) solutions for the Indian and global markets".
The partnership will combine Sparton's pioneering ASW technology with Adani Defence's established expertise in development, manufacturing, and sustenance for the Indian Navy.
"For decades, India has been importing this critical naval capability from global markets, increasing our dependence on foreign OEMs. Aligned with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiative, Sparton's ongoing relationship with the Indian Navy will now facilitate Adani Defence to indigenise the delivery of these solutions that are made in India, for India," the statement said.
Headquartered in Florida, Sparton develops, produces and supplies electronic systems to support undersea warfare for the US Navy and allied military forces. In December 2020, Israeli defence electronics company Elbit Systems Ltd acquired the firm.
Donnelly Bohan, President and CEO, Sparton DeLeon Springs LLC, said, "Sparton has a long legacy for problem solving, advanced engineering and manufacturing of America's best maritime defence solutions. We are proud to partner with Adani Defence & Aerospace to bring our proven anti-submarine warfare technologies to India. This partnership will enable us to localise assemblage, create high-technology skill sets, and deliver reliable ASW solutions tailored to the India Navy's needs".
Defence