Atlas Elektronik and the Indian Ministry of Defense have signed a contract for the delivery of six active towed array sonar systems (ACTAS) for the Indian Navy. The total contract volume is approximately 40 million Euros. Delivery of the first system is planned for 2016.
The six systems would equip three Talwar-class frigates and three Delhi-class destroyers, providing them with the capability to detect enemy submarines. Both classes of vessels have been prepared in advance to accept the German system. Atlas was selected as the preferred contractor for the system in October 2013 with formal award negotiated since.
Following the Indian selection in October last year the Thai Navy has also selected ACTAS, along with Atlas’ bow sonar (ASO) as the primary ASW sensors for a Korean built frigate to be delivered to the Royal Thai Navy in 2016.
Originally the Indian MOD planned to source towed sonar work domestically, but after waiting for almost a decade for the DRDO subsidiary NPOL to deliver a locally developed low-frequency active towed-array sonar, the Navy awarded the contract to Atlas, to supply ultra low-frequency active/passive towed-array sonar systems. In the near term the sonars will eventually equip 30 surface vessels with the systems.
