India's Maritime Rise: Boeing Partnership Fuels Autonomous Vessel Production Hub.

Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian start-up Sagar Defence Engineering to jointly develop and produce autonomous surface vessels (ASVs).

This collaboration aims to enhance undersea domain awareness by advancing manufacturing capabilities, ensuring system interoperability, conducting ocean testing, and establishing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for Liquid Robotics’ Wave Glider ASV platform, Boeing stated.

The MoU builds on Sagar Defence’s milestone achievement of completing a 1,500-km autonomous voyage from Mumbai to Thoothukudi in November, a first-of-its-kind demonstration of India’s growing expertise in autonomous maritime technology. The agreement aligns with the US-India Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation, positioning India as a potential hub for MRO and sustainment of these platforms, with regional export opportunities.

“The Wave Glider is a key platform for US-India collaboration, enhancing tactical readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Partnering with Sagar Defence strengthens bilateral defence ties and supports the ASIA initiative to expand industry partnerships and production across the region,” said Shane Goodenough, CEO of Liquid Robotics.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.