Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a binding collaboration agreement with Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC), a group company of Elbit Systems and a maker 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.

With this collaboration, Adani Defence & Aerospace becomes the first private sector company in India to offer localised sonobuoy solutions.

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. Playing a key role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and other naval operations, they support in maintaining naval security and in protecting naval carrier strike groups.

For decades, India has been importing this critical naval capability from global markets, increasing the country’s dependency 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 Gautam Adani-led conglomerate said.

"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. 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. Through this partnership with Sparton, Adani Defence & Aerospace becomes the first private company in India to offer indigenised sonobuoy solutions, enabling access to advanced technologies while fostering a future-ready, self-reliant defence ecosystem,” said Jeet Adani, vice president of Adani Enterprises.

This partnership to bring world-class sonobuoy technology and integrating it with India’s defence ecosystem, is a step towards building self-reliant capabilities in this critical domain, said Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace.

Commenting on the partnership, Donnelly Bohan, President and CEO, Sparton DeLeon Springs LLC, said: "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.”

Over the years, the Adani Group has signed a slew of deals in the defence sector including the acquisition of the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies and a joint venture with Israeli firm Elbit Systems. It also acquired 51% stake in the small arms business of Gwalior-based PLR Systems in an all-cash transaction.

Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design, which was acquired by Adani Defence Systems and Technologies in 2018, makes SkyStriker in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems. The Adani Elbit UAV Complex in Hyderabad, which took off in the same year, was the first private UAV manufacturing facility in India and the first facility of Elbit outside Israel to manufacture the Hermes 900 UAVs.