ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE SONOBUOYS

Source: ThePrint

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 Context

• US has approved a USD 52.8 million government-to-government deal for the sale of Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys that will be integrated with the Indian Navy’s Romeo helicopters.

Details

Sonobuoys

• Sonobuoys are components of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) used to detect, track, and engage enemy submarines.
• These devices are deployed from aircraft or helicopters into the water, where they detect underwater sounds and transmit data back to the host platform.

Types of Sonobuoys:

Type	Function	Operation
Passive	Listens for acoustic signals originating from submarines.	They are designed to remain silent and simply listen for sounds in the water.
Active	Transmits acoustic pulses, then listens to the echoes that reflect back from objects.	More detectable by submarines but can give more precise location data.
Special Purpose	Improve the ability to detect and track submarines under varying oceanographic conditions.	These include Expendable bathythermographs, or XBTs, which capture the temperature profile of water and Sonobuoys with magnetic anomaly detection sensors.

MH-60R 'Romeo' Helicopters

• The MH-60R Seahawk is commonly known as the "Romeo"
• It is a multi-role maritime helicopter designed by Sikorsky Aircraft (a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin).
• It is primarily used by the United States Navy and is now inducted into the Indian Navy.
• India signed a $2.6 billion deal with the U.S. for 24 MH-60R helicopters, with delivery expected to be completed by 2025.
• India had ordered these helicopters under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from the US government last year.
• FMS is the American equivalent of the government-to-government contracts India has carried out with Russia for various systems and with France for the Rafale fighter jets.

Features:

• It is involved in Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Search and Rescue, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
• It is equipped with Hellfire missiles, Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes, and precision-guided rockets.
• It includes advanced sonar systems, radar, electronic support measures, and a radar warning receiver.

Sources:

ThePrint

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: With reference to the Indian Navy's MH-60R Romeo helicopters, consider the following statements: The MH-60R helicopters have been procured from the United States. These helicopters can deploy anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. These helicopters have already been fully inducted and operationalized across all naval commands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: a) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The MH-60R "Romeo" helicopters are procured from the United States and are designed for anti-submarine warfare. Statement 2 is correct: These helicopters are equipped with advanced radar, sonar systems, and can deploy a range of weaponry. Statement 3 is not correct: India signed a deal with the U.S. for 24 MH-60R helicopters, with delivery expected to be completed by 2025.