Liquid Robotics partners with Indian startup for ASVs

Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering have announced a new partnership to create autonomous surface vessels. This collaboration is the first of its kind between an Indian startup and a U.S. company. The agreement aligns with the U.S.-India roadmap for defense cooperation. The two companies plan to co-develop Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV) to improve undersea domain awareness. Their projects will focus on manufacturing, interoperability, and establishing maintenance facilities for the Wave Glider ASV platform. Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India, emphasized the growing U.S.-India relationship. He mentioned that this partnership demonstrates a commitment to developing critical defense systems in India. The collaboration supports the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), which aims to boost industry cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Shane Goodenough, CEO of Liquid Robotics, noted that partnering with Sagar Defence strengthens bilateral defense efforts. The Wave Glider is a vital platform for enhancing tactical readiness in the region. This agreement is seen as a significant milestone in U.S.-India defense cooperation, particularly in undersea technology. Capt. Nikunj Parashar, founder of Sagar Defence, expressed optimism about the potential for innovation within India's defense sector. Both countries are expanding their focus on Underwater Domain Awareness technologies, including various systems for surveillance and detection. This includes the co-production of advanced sonobuoys in India, aimed at tracking submarines in deep waters.