India secures HawkEye 360 tech deal with US for surveillance of ‘dark ships’ in Indo-Pacific

India has secured a $131 million deal with the United States to acquire HawkEye 360, an advanced satellite-based surveillance system that will help the country detect and monitor ‘dark ships’ – vessels that turn off their tracking systems to evade detection – across the Indo-Pacific region.

The US State Department, which approved the sale, said the deal will “improve India’s capabilities to meet current and future threats by bolstering its maritime domain awareness, analytical abilities and strategic posture”. 

The package includes SeaVision software, technical training, support services, and real-time data tools that can spot illegal fishing, smuggling, trafficking, and other suspicious maritime behaviour.

HawkEye 360 works by using low-Earth orbit satellites to track radio frequency (RF) signals emitted from ships, aircraft, and coastal systems. 

Even if a vessel turns off its identification system, the technology can still pick up its location using a mix of RF tracking, radar imaging, infrared sensors, and optical scans – helping authorities identify patterns and respond quickly to threats at sea.

The sale also strengthens India’s role within the QUAD alliance – comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia – which aims to enhance maritime security and transparency in the Indo-Pacific. 

With this deal, India will have greater visibility over critical sea routes and strategic zones, further enhancing the efforts of its Information Fusion Centre in the Indian Ocean Region.

By closing surveillance gaps in waters often exploited for illegal activities, the system gives India a sharper eye on maritime threats – and greater independence in acting on them.

What is Hawkeye 360?

HawkEye 360 is a satellite system that helps find ships trying to hide.

It uses signals from ships, even when they switch off their tracking devices, to spot their location. 

This helps countries like India monitor illegal activities at sea, such as smuggling or fishing in protected waters.