US-based Ultra Maritime and defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will co-produce sonobuoys, used for detecting underwater movement especially of submarines, for the Indian Navy at a facility in Vishakhapatnam which is expected to become operational by 2027.

The co-production of US specification sonobuoys equivalent to those used on the P-8 aircraft under ‘Make in India’ will happen through transfer of technology (ToT) from Ultra Maritime to BDL, sources aware of development told businessline.

The Indian Navy operates 12 P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. These sonobuoys are dropped from the aircraft into the sea for anti-submarine warfare.

Amid Sullivan’s visit

The announcement came after US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Monday and reviewed strategic technology engagements between the two sides.

Sullivan subsequently called the co-production, aimed at enhancing undersea domain awareness, a “first-of-its-kind partnership” between the two companies.

Ultra Maritime said in a media statement on Monday that their partnership with the BDL is for “supplying and manufacturing of sonobuoys for the Indian Navy to US Navy standards, with production split across USA and India, in accordance with ‘Make in India’ principles”.

In line with the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) launched in May 2022, the Ultra Maritime and BDL will also pursue new sonobuoy technologies to optimise their acoustic performance in the unique environment of the Indian Ocean, enabling wide area search through bespoke multi-static active solutions, the US company said.

“Bharat Dynamics Limited is completely aligned with the Indian Navy to meet the operational demand for Make in India sonobuoys and is committed to standing up joint production with Ultra Maritime in Vishakhapatnam,” Chairman of BDL Commodore (ret) A. Madhavarao stated.

Warfare systems

“The announcement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reflects Ultra Maritime’s commitment to the Indian Navy in partnering with Bharat Dynamics Limited for production and delivery of world-class sonobuoys, and our resolute commitment to continue to develop forward-leaning solutions to unique undersea challenges,” said Ultra Maritime CEO, Carlo Zaffanella on Monday.

“The Ultra Maritime sonobuoys co-produced in India are interchangeable and interoperable between US Navy, Indian Navy and allied P-8, MH-60R and the MQ-9B Sea Guardian aircraft,” said Rear Admiral USN (ret), Mark Kenny, Ulta Maritime Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Development.

The two NSAs also noted advancement in discussions between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the co-production of GE F414-INS6 engines to power LCA Mk-2 fighters; on the launch of an AI Multi-Doman Situational Awareness product jointly developed by General Atomics and 114ai to support joint all domain command and control; and possible co-production of land warfare systems.