To counter underwater threat, Indian Navy seals deal for portable diver detection sonar

New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Thursday sealed a deal with Tata Power SED for supply of portable diver detection sonar which are fitted on ships to detect underwater threats.

The defence ministry said that the contract, under the 'Buy and Make' category, has been finalised in consonance with the government's 'Make in India' policy for the defence sector.

Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division (Tata Power SED) has partnered with Israel's DSIT Solutions Ltd for manufacturing the sonars under technology transfer at its facility in Bengaluru.

The company in a statement said the order for the sonars is one of the largest in the world market.

"This is the second contract to be signed by the Indian Navy under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category to boost government's defence indigenisation effort," the defence ministry said in a statement.

The first contract under this category was signed earlier this year by the Navy for supply of surface surveillance radar for IN warships.

"In the last three years, we have committed the largest private sector investments in defence manufacturing at Vemagal in Karnataka. For this programme, Tata Power SED is committed along with our partner DSIT Solutions to deliver a world class solution to Indian Navy," Rahul Chaudhry, CEO of Tata Power SED, said.

A Navy official said the induction of the sonar would further enhance the Navy's underwater surveillance capability in the field of low intensity maritime operations.