Boeing delivers 12th P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Indian Navy.

According to a PR published by Boeing on February 25, 2022, the company delivered the 12th P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India. This is the fourth of four additional aircraft delivered under the options contract signed by the Ministry of Defence in 2016.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (Picture source: Boeing)

The P-8I is an integral part of the Indian Navy’s fleet and has surpassed 35,000 flight hours since it was inducted in 2013. The aircraft, with its exceptional maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, versatility, and operational readiness, has proven to be an important asset to the Navy.

In addition to unmatched maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the P-8I has been deployed to assist during disaster relief and humanitarian missions.

The Indian Navy was the first international customer for the P-8 and today the P-8 is also operated by the U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

Boeing plans to enhance in-country technical services support for the P-8I fleet by leveraging the skills and expertise of Boeing’s India Engineering and Technology Center.

Boeing is also completing construction on the Training Support & Data Handling Centre at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, in Tamil Nadu, and a secondary center at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology, Kochi, as part of a training-and-support package contract signed in 2019.

The indigenous, ground-based training will allow the IN crew to increase mission proficiency in a shorter time while reducing the on-aircraft training time resulting in increased aircraft availability for mission tasking.

The P-8I, is the Indian variant of the P-8A featuring Data Link II communications from the Indian company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) allowing the P-8I to exchange tactical data between Indian Navy aircraft, ships and shore establishments.

It also features an integrated BEL-developed IFF system. India has purchased AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and Mk 54 All-Up-Round Lightweight torpedoes for the P-8.