Boeing Delivers First P-8I Aircraft To Indian Navy

The Indian Navy today took delivery of its first Boeing Poseidon-8I aircraft at its air station INS Rajali.

Vice admiral B K Varma, chief of staff, Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, said, "The aircraft is to be used for broad-area maritime and anti-submarine operations. The aircraft is going to be a unique part in our anti-surface warfare, surveillance and intelligence capacities". 

He added that "it is capability based planning, not a threat based planning, that India follows to enhancement of maritime border security". 

"For an effective understanding of the maritime related issues in Indian waters, a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is now being designed to coordinate with 17 maritime agencies in the country. This will also ensure an identity for each and every fishing boat and vessels in Indian waters to avoid maritime safety and security violations," he said. 

The Boeing P8I is armed with anti-ship Harpoon missiles, Mark-54 anti-submarine torpedoes and Mark-82 depth bombs. It is also equipped with a Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System that ensures accuracy in hitting targets. 

In 2009, India signed a two billion dollar contract for a batch of eight aircraft, of which seven will be delivered by 2015.