Boost To Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Capability: India Set To Ink $3.1 Billion Deal With US For 10 P8I Aircraft

In a bid to boost the Indian Navy’s surveillance capabilities, India is set to go ahead with a $3.1 billion deal with United States to buy 10 Boeing P8I maritime patrol aircraft, reports Economic Times.

According to the report, the procurement of the maritime patrol aircraft is likely to be cleared next week at a key acquisition meeting. The deal for the aircraft could be processed under the foreign military sales (FMS) route.

The deal will reportedly include a mandatory clause for at least 30 per cent offsets to domestic companies. India already has 8 P8I aircraft in service, with an additional 4 ordered in 2016 and set to be delivered by 2020.

The addition of 10 more such aircraft will help maintain strong vigil over a region that has seen increasing deployments by the Chinese Navy.

The P8I aircraft specialise in tracking and hunting down enemy submarines with lightweight torpedoes and depth charges. It can also be deployed for search and rescue as well as reconnaissance over land.