On February 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump jointly launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)—a strategic initiative aimed at scaling industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific region.
Focus of ASIA: Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Technologies
- ASIA marks a milestone in India-U.S. defence collaboration, particularly in the domain of underwater surveillance and autonomous systems.
- The U.S. has extended co-production and co-development opportunities for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) technologies, making India the first country to receive such an offer from the U.S. defence industry on a commercial basis.
Key Technologies Under Discussion: India is currently engaged in talks with U.S. companies regarding several cutting-edge autonomous and underwater surveillance technologies, including:
- Sea Picket Autonomous Surveillance System – Equipped with sonar acoustic arrays for maritime monitoring.
- Wave Glider Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Systems – Designed for long-duration ocean surveillance.
- Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (LFATS) – A critical technology for anti-submarine warfare.
Strategic Significance
- Enhances India’s maritime security and Indo-Pacific defence capabilities.
- Strengthens the India-U.S. defence partnership in high-tech military domains.
- Supports self-reliance in defence technology, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
(Source: The Hindu)
