India-USA to jointly Manufacture Interoperable Sonobuoys for Navy

Discover how India and the USA are collaborating to manufacture interoperable sonobuoys, boosting anti-submarine warfare capabilities and enhancing maritime security for naval forces.

Table of Contents

Context: India and the United States have announced a significant collaboration to co-produce U.S. sonobuoys.

About Sonobuoys

Sonobuoys are compact, expendable acoustic sensors used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and undersea domain awareness (UDA).
They play an important role in detecting, tracking and monitoring submarines and underwater activities in deep seas and oceans.

Key Features of Sonobuoys

Size: Small, cylindrical and lightweight for easy deployment.
Deployment: Launched from aircraft, helicopters or ships.

Components

Hydrophone: Captures underwater sound signals.
Radio Transmitter: Sends data to surface vessels or aircraft.
Battery: Provides power for limited operational duration.

Check here: India-USA Relationship

Types of Sonobuoys

Passive Sonobuoys: Listen to underwater sounds without emitting signals. Detect noise from submarines (e.g., engine sounds, propeller noise).
Active Sonobuoys: Emit sound waves (pings) and listen for echoes. It is useful for precise location tracking of submarines.

Functions of Sonobuoys

The interoperable sonobuoys will be designed to function seamlessly with the naval systems of both countries, promoting greater coordination in joint naval exercises and operations. The project also highlights India’s push for Indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer under the Make in India initiative, aligning with its broader goal of strengthening defence production capabilities.