SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to India’s maritime security capabilities, India and the United States are on the verge of finalizing a deal for the procurement of six additional Boeing P-8I Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) for the Indian Navy. This acquisition will augment the Navy’s existing fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft, bringing the total to 18, and further strengthen India’s maritime domain awareness in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The deal, driven by operational necessities and diplomatic engagements, reflects the deepening defense ties between New Delhi and Washington, particularly in countering the growing naval presence of China in the Indo-Pacific.
The P-8I Poseidon, a variant of the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon, is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft renowned for its advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors such as the Raytheon APY-10 surveillance radar, Telephonics APS-143 OceanEye aft radar, and a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), the P-8I is a critical asset for detecting, tracking, and engaging submarines and surface vessels. Its ability to operate at altitudes up to 41,000 feet and cover 8,300 kilometers in a single sortie makes it ideal for monitoring the vast IOR.
The six new P-8I aircraft will feature upgraded systems and newer technologies, enhancing their operational effectiveness. A key highlight of this acquisition is the Indian Navy’s intent to integrate the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM-MR), designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The NASM-MR, an all-weather, over-the-horizon anti-ship cruise missile, boasts a range of up to 350 kilometers with a solid-fuel rocket booster and advanced guidance systems, including an X-band RF seeker for precision strikes. This missile, already tailored for the Navy’s MiG-29K, Rafale Marine, and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), will supplement the P-8I’s existing arsenal of AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, which have a range of approximately 200 kilometers. The integration of NASM-MR, potentially included in the deal with Boeing, will significantly enhance the P-8I’s strike capabilities against small to medium-sized warships such as frigates, corvettes, and destroyers.
The six additional P-8I aircraft are slated for deployment under the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command, based at INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. This will increase the Eastern Command’s P-8I fleet to 12 units, while the Western Naval Command will continue to operate four aircraft. The bolstered presence in the Eastern Command is strategically significant, given the increasing activities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the IOR, including the deployment of warships and submarines often disguised as survey or anti-piracy missions. The P-8I’s advanced sensors and extended range, paired with the NASM-MR’s superior reach, will enable the Indian Navy to project power and maintain deterrence at greater distances, particularly in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Indian Navy has been operating the P-8I since 2013, with the first batch of eight aircraft acquired in 2009 for $2.2 billion and an additional four in 2016 for over $1 billion. The fleet has clocked over 40,000 flight hours and has proven its versatility in missions ranging from maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare to disaster relief and humanitarian operations. Notably, the P-8I played a critical role during the 2017 Doklam standoff and post-Pulwama surveillance, showcasing its ISR capabilities in non-maritime scenarios. The addition of six more aircraft will further enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor and counter maritime threats, particularly in light of the retirement of the Soviet-era Ilyushin Il-38 fleet, leaving the P-8I as the Navy’s primary long-range maritime patrol platform.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the P-8I, will play a pivotal role in integrating the NASM-MR into the aircraft’s weapon bays and mission systems. This collaboration underscores Boeing’s growing ecosystem in India, which currently employs 5,000 people and includes 300 suppliers, contributing $1.7 billion to the economy. The addition of six P-8I aircraft is expected to increase this economic impact to $3.2 billion. Boeing is also supporting the Indian Navy through infrastructure development, such as the Training Support & Data Handling Centre at INS Rajali and a secondary center at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology in Kochi, enhancing crew training and mission readiness.
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