The United States has recently approved a significant $131 million defence deal allowing India to acquire advanced HawkEye 360 satellite-based surveillance technology. This strategic acquisition substantially enhances India's maritime domain awareness capabilities, particularly for detecting "dark ships" - vessels that disable their tracking systems to avoid detection - in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.

The deal, cleared by the US State Department in late April 2025, includes sophisticated SeaVision software, technical training, and comprehensive support services, arriving at a critical moment of rising tensions in the region. This technology will provide India with unprecedented capabilities to monitor maritime activities across its vast territorial waters and beyond, strengthening both its national security posture and its role in regional security frameworks.

HawkEye 360 Technology And Capabilities

HawkEye 360 is a US-based private company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, that operates a specialised constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) designed to track and analyse radio frequency (RF) signals from ships, aircraft, vehicles, and coastal systems. This cutting-edge technology represents a revolutionary approach to geospatial information solutions, with the unique ability to reveal hidden and previously uncharted activities across land, sea, and air domains. The system processes and identifies a broad range of RF emissions, then fuses this information with other data sources to provide clients with unprecedented clarity on maritime activities that might otherwise remain undetected.

The core value of HawkEye 360 technology lies in its specialised capability to detect vessels that intentionally "go dark" by switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to evade conventional tracking methods - a common tactic employed by vessels engaged in illegal or suspicious maritime activities. This capability addresses a critical blind spot in traditional maritime surveillance systems that rely primarily on cooperative tracking mechanisms.

The technology employs a sophisticated multi-layer sensing approach that includes:

Electro-Optical (EO) sensors for high-resolution daytime imagery
Infrared (IR) sensors for thermal imaging and night-time detection
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities
Advanced RF signal detection and analysis for identifying non-cooperative vessels

By correlating gaps in AIS reporting with detected RF activity, the system can identify suspect vessels even in low-visibility conditions or in maritime "dead zones" where traditional surveillance methods prove ineffective. This provides continuous, real-time surveillance capabilities essential for monitoring vast maritime territories and identifying potential security threats.

The acquisition of HawkEye 360 technology represents a substantial strategic advancement for India, particularly in enhancing its maritime security posture across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the broader Indo-Pacific theatre.

Enhancement of Maritime Domain Awareness

This technology will provide India with comprehensive 24/7 surveillance capabilities, vital for monitoring its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the strategically crucial Indian Ocean Region. The ability to detect vessels that "go dark" addresses a fundamental gap in maritime surveillance, enabling Indian authorities to maintain awareness of suspicious activities that conventional tracking systems would miss entirely. This capability is particularly valuable given India's substantial coastline and maritime interests.

Operational Synergy With Existing Systems

The HawkEye 360 technology will complement and enhance India's existing maritime surveillance platforms, creating a more comprehensive, layered monitoring network.

These existing assets include:

P8i Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which serve as the primary long-range reconnaissance platform for the Indian Navy

Sea Guardian drones, part of India's recent procurement of 31 Predator drones (with 15 specifically designated as Sea Guardian variants for the Navy)

Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), established in 2018 as a hub for maritime information sharing and collaboration

This integration will enable a more sophisticated approach to maritime surveillance, combining aerial reconnaissance, satellite monitoring, and signal intelligence to create a more complete operational picture of maritime activities. The synergy between these systems will significantly reduce surveillance gaps and enhance India's ability to detect and respond to maritime threats promptly.

Conclusion

The US approval for India's acquisition of HawkEye 360 technology represents a transformative enhancement of India's maritime surveillance capabilities and a significant milestone in US-India defence cooperation. With its specialised ability to detect "dark ships" through sophisticated RF signal monitoring, this technology addresses a critical gap in maritime domain awareness that has long been exploited by vessels engaged in illegal activities or unauthorised incursions. The $131 million deal not only substantially strengthens India's capacity to monitor its vast maritime territories but also reinforces the strategic partnership between India and the United States in addressing shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

The acquisition strategically aligns with broader regional security initiatives, particularly the QUAD's Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness program, and complements India's existing surveillance infrastructure to create a comprehensive, multi-layered monitoring capability. As maritime competition and challenges intensify across the Indo-Pacific, this technology will provide India with valuable intelligence on illegal activities, unauthorised territorial incursions, and potential security threats, enhancing both national security and regional stability.

Looking ahead, the successful integration of this advanced technology into India's maritime security framework will require effective training, inter-agency coordination, and technical support. However, the substantial benefits in terms of enhanced security posture, improved law enforcement capabilities, and strengthened strategic position make this a valuable and timely addition to India's maritime security arsenal. As the system becomes fully operational, it will significantly contribute to India's emergence as a capable maritime security provider in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.

IDN (With Input From Agencies)