India and U.S. to Co-Produce Sonobuoys

In January 2025, India and the U.S. announced their first-ever co-production partnership for U.S. sonobuoys, which will enhance undersea domain awareness for the Indian Navy.

Key Points

Production Details: The sonobuoys, matching U.S. specifications, will be co-produced with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Visakhapatnam. The final assembly will take place in India, with an operational production line expected by 2027.
Strategic Context: These sonobuoys are interoperable with U.S. Navy and allied aircraft, including P-8, MH-60R, and MQ-9B platforms, reinforcing Quad collaboration amid China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
Advanced Technologies: The partnership aims to develop new sonobuoy technologies optimized for Indian Ocean conditions, enabling enhanced acoustic performance and wide-area search capabilities.
Indian Navy’s Capabilities: India operates P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, is inducting MH-60R helicopters, and has leased MQ-9A drones. It recently signed a $3.5 billion contract for 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardians and 16 Sky Guardians, with deliveries starting in 2029.
Future Opportunities: Ultra Maritime is exploring avenues for Indian suppliers to join its global supply chain, strengthening Make in India and fostering technology transfer.
Significance: The development underlines India’s growing defense collaboration with Quad nations and its efforts to bolster maritime security amidst regional tensions.