In yet another endeavour to strengthen New Delhi's anti-submarine warfare capability, the US has cleared the sale of HAASW sonobuoys valued at USD 52.8 million to India.
Sonobuoys are air-deployed, expendable electro-mechanical sensors that transmit underwater sounds to remote processors. They are indeed effective and relatively inexpensive weapons in ASW and can be employed by all airborne ASW forces.
"The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its capacity to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations from its MH-60R helicopters. India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces," the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a notification to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week.
Under the Arms Export Control Act, Congress has 30 calendar days to review the proposed sale.
According to the Congressional notification, India has requested to procure AN/SSQ-53O High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys. The estimated total cost of the sale is USD 52.8 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the United States-India strategic relationship and improving the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions," the notification noted.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on August 23 approved the foreign military sale to India, which includes Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment, estimated to cost USD 52.8 million.
