PM Narendra Modi has reportedly cleared an over $1 billion deal to acquire four more Boeing P-8I (Poseidons) long-range surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from US. According to a ToI report, a contract for the same will be inked with Boeing in coming days and the first P-8I is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in three years.
India already has eight P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy. India received the first P-8I aircraft in May 2013 and as of now all eight aircraft are integrated into the Indian Navy’s operations. The ‘hawk eyes’ of Indian Navy are a big boost for India’s maritime surveillance capability in the Indian Ocean.
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The likely acquisition of four more surveillance aircraft assumes significance with the increased sightings of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean region.
P-8I Poseidon for Indian Navy
Last year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar flew on board a Boeing P-8I and described the aircraft as one of the best for surveillance in the world. Parrikar was given an exposure to various sensors and other state-of-the-art equipment and their capabilities. He said the aircraft will provide the Indian Navy the necessary reach and flexibility to undertake extensive surveillance as also to respond swiftly and effectively to contingencies in our areas of interest.
As India looks all set to order four more P-8Is, we take a look at five interesting facts and features of the P-8Is for Indian Navy:
1) The P-8I aircraft for Indian Navy is actually a variant of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon that was developed as a replacement for US Navy’s P-3 fleet. Indian Navy was the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft after it signed a $2.1 billion contract in 2009 for eight surveillance aircraft.
2) The aircraft boasts of long-range anti submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
P-8I Poseidon for Indian Navy
3) P-8I aircraft has already achieved a number of operational milestones which includes participation in the search effort for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370, the first successful firing of air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world, torpedo firing and active participation in major naval exercises.
4) Boeing claims that it is using a first-in-industry production process and its existing Next-Generation 737 production system to design and build the P-8I for India as well as the P-8A Poseidon for the US Navy.
P-8I Poseidon for Indian Navy: Specifications:
5) Currently, the eight aircraft are based at INS Rajali, and are operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron 312A.