India has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards self-reliance in aircraft maintenance. This achievement comes in the form of the Depot Level Inspection of eight P8I aircraft, which was undertaken by M/s Air Works, a homegrown Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility located in Hosur, Karnataka. The successful completion of this inspection marks a crucial step in testing India’s indigenous capabilities to support its Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, enhancing the country’s self-sufficiency in engineering and maintaining strategically vital aviation platforms.
The Depot Level Inspection involved extensive repairs of the aircraft, including the degutting of structural components and panels, the removal and repair of auxiliary fuel tanks, and a comprehensive inspection of the internal fuselage. This meticulous process ensures that the aircraft remain in optimal condition and continue to serve their critical roles effectively.
The P8I aircraft were procured from M/s Boeing through a Direct Commercial Sales contract initiated by the Ministry of Defence. These aircraft are based on the Boeing 737-800 platform, modified to meet military requirements. Impressively, approximately 80% of the aircraft’s maintenance needs can be addressed by local MROs and industries.
Recognizing this potential, the Indian Navy worked closely with M/s Boeing to certify local MROs for the crucial task of Depot Level Inspection, which must be conducted every eight years from the date of production. Following a thorough evaluation process, M/s Boeing officially certified M/s Air Works to undertake Depot Level Inspection of the P8I fleet.
This successful Depot Level Inspection conducted by M/s Air Works not only demonstrates the competence of India’s indigenous MROs but also highlights their readiness to become significant contributors to the Indian Defence Forces. They now offer services that are globally competitive and align with India’s vision of AatmaNirbharta (self-reliance) in the realm of defence manufacturing and maintenance.
Meanwhile …
Boeing on Thursday highlighted the significant progress achieved in the indigenization of its P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft’s manufacturing and sustainment.
At a media interaction in New Delhi, the company provided information about the platform’s future prospects, indicating increased investment and economic impact as part of their AatmaNirbhar Bharat strategy. Currently, twelve P-8I aircraft are serving the reconnaissance and surveillance needs of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US based aerospace company has already contributed significantly to the Indian economy, with an economic impact of US$1.7 billion to support the existing P-8I aircraft fleet used by the Indian Navy. Furthermore, Boeing envisions that expanding the P-8I fleet to 18 aircraft will result in approximately US$1.5 billion in additional investments. This expansion will also create more opportunities for indigenous production within India’s aerospace and defence sector by 2032.
Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India, expressed Boeing’s commitment to advancing the AatmaNirbhar Bharat vision. He stated that as they respond to the Indian Navy’s demand for more P-8I aircraft, they are actively seeking to enhance engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment capabilities in India. This effort aims to benefit both Indian and global customers.
Since its introduction in 2013, the P-8I aircraft, based on the 737 Next Generation platform, has become an integral part of the Indian Navy’s fleet. It has accumulated over 40,000 flight hours with high mission readiness rates. Boeing played a pivotal role in establishing the Ashok Roy Training Simulator Complex at INS Rajali, and the Kochi training complex, inaugurated in April of this year, features a state-of-the-art simulator for P-8I aircrew and technical team training. This ground-based training reduces on-aircraft training time, enhancing mission proficiency and aircraft availability for the Indian Navy.
Dan Gillian, Vice President and General Manager of Mobility, Surveillance, and Bombers at Boeing Defense, Space & Security, expressed pride in partnering with the Indian Navy on the P-8 aircraft. He highlighted its versatility as a proven multi-mission aircraft, which enhances interoperability and maritime security in India and the Indo-Pacific. Boeing is also committed to expanding its P-8 supplier network in India, which currently includes 15 public and private Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises that are part of Boeing’s global supply chain and provide critical parts, components, and services for the P-8.
The P-8 fleet, with over 160 aircraft in service and more than 500,000 mishap-free flight hours globally, has been adopted by various allied nations, including the United States, the UK, Germany, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.