US Boeing Subsidiary Teams Up with Indian Start-up for Vessel Project

In a significant boost to US-India defence ties, a US-based Boeing subsidiary called Liquid Robotics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an Indian unmanned systems start-up Sagar Defence Engineering to co-produce autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). This marks first of its kind project by an Indian start-up, according to the American aerospace firm.

Boeing in a statement also said that the collaboration is aimed at enhancing undersea domain awareness through manufacturing, system interoperability, ocean testing and the establishment of an MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) capacity for the Wave Glider ASV platform.

"It reinforces India's potential to be developed as a hub for MRO and sustainment of such platforms, with export potential across the region," Boeing said.

It further added that advancing autonomous underwater capabilities will accelerate ecosystem growth and drive innovation in next-generation defence technologies.

Boeing also claimed that Liquid Robotics' Wave Glider is the most experienced and proven Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV). It is powered by wave and solar energy and stays on mission 24×7 for several months at a time. The Wave Glider can provide real-time data and communications for a variety of applications.

"This collaboration reinforces our shared vision of providing solutions for complex maritime challenges to enhance global maritime security," said Captain Nikunj Parashar, founder at Sagar Defence Engineering.

US-India Partnership in Technology & Defence

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington DC in February, both sides had launched the U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative. TRUST aims to catalyze government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote the application of critical and emerging technologies in various areas including defence.

It will also encourage the use of verified technology vendors and ensure sensitive technologies are protected.