Navy’s Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft- Boeing P-8I- Dedicated to the Nation

Giving a boost to the firepower and arsenal of the Indian Armed Forces, the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar dedicated the Boeing P8I (Poseidon Eight India) Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft to the nation this morning, at an impressive  ceremony held at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, India’s premiere Naval Air Station in southern India, about 70 Km off Chennai.

The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan, and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Satish Soni.

Parrikar, who flew in to INS Rajali on board a Boeing P-8I from Port Blair this morning, described the aircraft as one of the best for surveillance in the world today. During the flight, Parrikar was given an exposure to various sensors and other sophisticated state-of-the-art equipment and their capabilities. He said the aircraft will provide the Indian Navy the necessary reach and flexibility to undertake extensive surveillance as also to respond swiftly and effectively to contingencies in our areas of interest.

Parrikar, in particular complimented the Navy and its air arm for expeditiously inducting and operationalising this force multiplier, which would enable the nation’s Armed Forces to dominate the future battle space. Taking note of the spectacular efforts put in by INS Rajali and its personnel, Parrikar praised the fact that, even in the short phase of trials and testing, the P-8I aircraft had achieved a number of operational milestones which includes participation in the search effort for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370, the first successful firing of air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world, torpedo firing and active participation in major naval exercises.

Boeing P8I dedicated to the nation

The P-8I aircraft is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that Boeing developed as a replacement for the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet. Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft with the conclusion of the nearly US $ 2.1 billion contract on 01 Jan 2009 for a total of eight aircraft. The first aircraft arrived in India on the 15 May 2013 and as of date; all eight aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Navy and are fully integrated into its operations.

The P-8I aircraft is equipped for long range anti submarine warfare, anti -surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations. Its communication and sensor suite includes indigenous equipment developed by defence PSUs and private manufacturers.  With its high speed and high endurance of about 10 hours, the aircraft is capable of thrusting a punitive response and maintaining a watch over India’s immediate and extended areas of interest. 

The aircraft are based at INS Rajali, and are operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron 312A under the command of Commander Venkateshwaran Ranganathan.

Background Info:   

The P-8I (Poseidon Eight India) aircraft is a variant of the P-8A (Poseidon Eight Alpha) Poseidon aircraft deployed by Boeing as a replacement for the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet. On 01 January 2009, Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft with the conclusion of US $ 2 billion contract for a total of eight (08) aircraft. The first aircraft arrived in India on 15^th May 2013 and the last of the eight aircraft was accepted on 12 October this year.  All the aircraft have undergone the process of thorough testing and exhaustive trials during the past thirty months, including successful firing of the first air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world.

P8I aircraft is equipped for long range anti submarine warfare, anti surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations. The induction of all eight aircraft have reinforced the Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Air ASW capability of the Indian Navy and will provide enhanced maritime surface and sub-surface surveillance in the entire Indian Ocean Region. 

Its communication and sensor suite includes indigenous equipment developed by defence PSUs and private manufacturers.  With its high speed and high endurance of about 10 hours, the aircraft is capable of a punitive response and maintaining vigil over India’s immediate and extended areas of interest. The aircraft was deployed by the Indian Navy from Malaysia and Port Blair, as India’s flag bearer, during the search for missing Malaysian Airlines MH 370 in March 2015. In addition, the P-8I in formation along with two Mig-29 Ks, representing the Indian Navy, participated in the flypast during Republic Day parade, at New Delhi on 26 January 2015.