WATCH: Rajnath Singh takes sortie on P-8I aircraft, witnesses surveillance & warfare capabilities

New Delhi, May 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Mumbai undertook a sortie on the Indian Navy P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft. This came after he launched two indigenous frontline warships - INS Surat and INS Udaygiri - at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

 

 

 

During the mission, long range surveillance, electronic warfare, imagery intelligence, ASW missions and Search & Rescue capabilities employing the state-of-the-art mission suite and sensors were demonstrated.

 

The induction of P8I aircraft commencing 2013, have significantly enhanced Indian Navy's persistent surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The flight crew for this sortie comprised of two Pilots and seven Naval Air Operations Officers including three women officers.

 

 

"My trust in the Indian Navy has increased many folds. Indian Navy is fully capable to keep the nation safe", said Singh. "I got the opportunity to experience the capabilities of the Indian Navy closely. I have been informed in detail about the aircraft by CNS Admiral R. Hari Kumar and Commanding officer of the squadron Sudeep" he said.

 

 

The P8I's state-of-the-art sensors like multi-mode radars, electronic intelligence system, sonobuoys, EO/IR camera, etc, and advanced weapons like Harpoon Anti-shipping Missile and Mk54 torpedo, provide the Navy with a very potent platform with significant capability to deter and destroy.

 

The induction of P8I aircraft commencing 2013, has significantly enhanced the Indian Navy's persistent surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These aircraft also have been utilised along the IB/ LoC/ LAC to keep an eye on adversaries' movement. The aircraft has operated along land frontiers in conjunction with the Indian Army and Air Force to harness its multi-mission capability during tri-services operations.