The Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, has partnered with the US-based Sparton to develop advanced electronic sensors and navigation systems for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the conglomerate announced on Sunday. Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a binding agreement with Sparton (DeLeon Springs LLC) to collaborate on assembling ASW solutions specifically for the Indian Navy. The goal is to localise the production of sonobuoys and other ASW technologies in India, in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
This marks a significant milestone as Adani Defence & Aerospace becomes the first private company in India to offer indigenous sonobuoy solutions to the Indian Navy. Sparton, headquartered in De Leon Springs, Florida, designs and manufactures electronic systems that support undersea warfare for the US Navy and allied forces. In December 2020, the company was acquired by Israeli defence giant Elbit Systems Ltd.
This new collaboration builds on Adani Group’s previous partnerships, including a 2018 joint venture with Elbit Systems to produce Hermes 900 drones and a 2020 agreement for the production of mini drone missile weapons. Additionally, Adani has teamed up with Israel Weapon Industries to manufacture small arms, sniper rifles, and machine guns.
The partnership between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Sparton aims to integrate Sparton’s cutting-edge ASW technology with Adani Defence’s expertise in development, manufacturing, and maintenance for naval applications. In a statement, Adani Defence highlighted the importance of localising the assembly of complex electronic systems and ASW solutions for both Indian and global markets.
Sonobuoys are critical tools in enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA), enabling the detection, location, and tracking of submarines and other underwater threats. These systems play a key role in maintaining naval security and supporting carrier strike groups. Sparton specializes in electronic sensors, navigation systems, and delivery systems for undersea warfare.
“For decades, India has relied on imports for this vital naval technology, increasing dependency on foreign suppliers. In alignment with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, Sparton’s ongoing collaboration with the Indian Navy will now enable Adani Defence to indigenously produce these advanced solutions for India,” the statement said.
Jeet Adani, Vice President of Adani Enterprises, emphasized the strategic importance of enhancing India’s undersea warfare capabilities in the face of growing maritime challenges. He stated, “Strengthening India’s sovereignty and national interests requires mission-ready ISR and ASW capabilities. This partnership with Sparton marks a significant step towards indigenizing sonobuoy solutions, offering India access to advanced technologies while promoting a self-reliant defence ecosystem.”
Adani Defence & Aerospace aims to be at the forefront of empowering India’s armed forces with world-class, domestically developed solutions. Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, added, “For years, India has been dependent on imports for critical technology. This partnership with Sparton represents a major move toward self-reliance in anti-submarine warfare.”
Donnelly Bohan, President and CEO of SpartonDeLeon Springs LLC, expressed pride in collaborating with Adani Defence & Aerospace. He said, “Sparton brings decades of expertise in maritime defence technology. This partnership will help localize production, create high-tech job opportunities, and deliver reliable ASW solutions that meet the Indian Navy’s needs.”
