Indian Navy to begin acquiring four Boeing P81 marinetime surveillance from July

New Delhi, April 18: Broadening the competence of the Indian Navy operations, Boeing P8I maritime surveillance aircraft will be landing in July in phases as per the agreements are made with the United States.

 

 

The Defence manufacturing industry of the US is part of the ‘essential works’ and work, so far, is on as per schedule, the Ministry of Defence has been informed. It was reported that it will arrive in May but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the arrival was postponed. 

 

"First of the four P-8I (additional follow-in order) was scheduled to arrive in India by next month (May). But under the present circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of aircraft is not certain. Delivery of all four P-8I was to be completed by end of 2021," said a senior official.

 

Having said that, now it is being noted, “The contract stipulated supplies to commence from July 2020,” and that so far everything is on schedule. It is being said when the lockdown will end in India, matters will be known better. From April 20 onwards the forces will start working with 50 percent staff and then onwards the procurements cells will start functioning.

 

Earlier, it was reported, "the US informed the possible sale of 10 Harpoon missiles and also 16 MK 54 Torpedoes to be fitted onto the P8I. The AGM-84L Harpoon Block air launched anti-ship missile would cost $92 million while the MK 54 anti-submarine torpedoes would cost $ 63 million—collectively Rs 1,160 crore".

 

The purchase of the Boeing goes back in 2009. The Indian government and Boeing sealed a deal of $2.1 billion for the purchase of eight P-8I aircraft in 2009. It made India the first international customer of an export variant of the maritime patrol aircraft. The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) placed a $1.1. billion follow-on order for four additional P-8Is in 2016. The Indian MoD approved the procurement of 10 more P-8Is in June 2019.

 

These aircraft are efficient means to track ships and submarines, with an additional capability to hunt and destroy submarines.The systems installed in the aircraft have been manufactured in such a way that it will work in the Indian tropical climate along with multiple Indian manufacturing equipment that is installed onboard. It is considered one of the best in its class with hi-tech gadgetry onboard and exceptional aircraft characteristics.

 

The P8I is a long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) but carries Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and anti-ship strike abilities. The planes are used for patrolling the Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC’s) extending east and west of peninsular India. 

 

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