U.S. Clears Sale of “P-8I Patrol Aircraft” to India

Contents

• 1
• 2 What is the News?
• 3 About P-8I patrol aircraft:
• 4 Orders and Deliveries of P-8I patrol aircraft:

What is the News?

The US State Department has approved the proposal for the sale of six P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India. According to the estimations, the deal have cost India around $2.42 billion.

About P-8I patrol aircraft:

• P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft. US-based manufacturer Boeing developed this aircraft.
• The aircraft is based on the Boeing 737 commercial aircraft and India is its first international customer.
• Features: The design of the aircraft is such, it protects the vast coastline and territorial waters of India. It can also conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol and surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
• Significance: As India has signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) foundational agreement with the US, the aircraft will come fitted with encrypted systems.

Orders and Deliveries of P-8I patrol aircraft:

• In 2009, the Indian Government selected Boeing to supply eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to the Indian Navy. The contract also included an option for four P-8I aircraft.
• The first P-8I aircraft was delivered to the Indian Navy in December 2012 and the remaining aircraft were delivered between 2013 and 2015.
• In 2019, the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) provided its approval for the procurement of six additional P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy.

Source: The Hindu