The Indian Navy has expanded its fleet by adding the 12th Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This was the fourth of four additional P-8I aircraft to be delivered under the options agreement signed in 2016.
“With this delivery of the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, we continue to nurture this partnership and are fully committed to working closely with India’s defense forces to deliver the right value and capabilities to meet their operational needs,” managing director at Boeing Defense India, Surendra Ahuja announced in a press statement.
The Indian Navy was Boeing’s first international customer for the P-8 Poseidon following the aircraft’s introduction in 2013. The Indian Navy’s fleet of Boeing P-8I aircraft has surpassed 35,000 hours of flying. In addition to maritime and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Boeing P-8I aircraft was deployed to assist during disaster relief and humanitarian missions in India.
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol aircraft, a militarized version of the Boeing 737-800ERX (a Boeing 737-800 with 737-900-based wings). The P-8 operates in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and has capabilities in maritime reconnaissance.
Initially, the aircraft was developed for use by the US Navy (USN). But now the P-8 Poseidon is also operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.