Indian Navy receives ninth P-8I surveillance aircraft from Boeing

In a major boost to the Indian Navy's warfare capabilities, the ninth Boeing P-8I surveillance plane was delivered to it from the US at its naval airbase in Goa on November 18, 2020. 

The P-8I surveillance plane delivered recently to the Indian Navy is the first of the four additional planes, which were ordered by India from Boeing after the completion of the initial order for eight aircraft.

In a major boost to its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, Indian Navy today received its 9th P-8I (file pic) surveillance plane at naval airbase in Goa. The aircraft delivered today is first of 4 additional planes ordered by India after the initial order for 8 was completed pic.twitter.com/L3b8wa4eN2

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2020

What is P-8I surveillance aircraft?

The P-8I surveillance aircraft is a variant of Boeing's P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which it had developed as a replacement to the US Navy's aging P-3 fleet. 

Key Highlights

•The Indian Navy recently completed seven years of operating the P-8I surveillance fleet. The patrol aircraft have already surpassed 25,000 flight hours since induction in 2013. 

•The Indian Navy has eight such aircraft in service and they were deployed for surveillance and intelligence gathering over the Himalayan region during the ongoing stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.

•The aircraft were also used for surveillance during the Chinese incursions during the 2017 Dokalam standoff in the north-east.

•The aircraft have also been deployed to assist during disaster relief and humanitarian missions.

P-8I surveillance aircraft: Why is it important for India?

•The P-8I surveillance plane boasts of exceptional maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The aircraft's versatility and operational readiness have proven to be an important asset to the Indian Navy. 

•The P-8I aircraft is equipped for intelligence, surveillance, anti-surface warfare, long-range anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance in support of the broad area, maritime and littoral operations.

•Its communication suit and sensor suite comprises indigenous equipment developed by defence PSUs and private manufacturers.

•The aircraft has high speed and high endurance of about 10 hours. It is capable of thrusting a punitive response and maintaining a watch over India's immediate and extended areas of interest.