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The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-800
(NG) airframe, is the Indian Naval variant of
the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing has developed for
the US Navy.
The aircraft has been put to flying duties right
away, including in training flying and technical
crews. The aircraft can be equipped with seven
or so consoles to enable up-down-and-around monitoring
of the air, sea, sub-sea and land surface.
The aircraft is equipped with both foreign as
well as indigenous sensors for Maritime Reconnaissance,
Anti Submarine operations and for Electronic Intelligence
missions. The aircraft is fully integrated with
state-of-the-art sensors and highly potent Anti
Surface and Anti Submarine weapons including Raytheon’s
literally far-reaching AN/APY 10 radar.
These LRMR/ ASW (Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance
– Anti Submarine Warfare) aircraft are being
procured under a contract signed in 2009, shortly
after the Pakistani 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai
in 2008. The induction of the P-8I aircraft into
the Indian Navy would greatly enhance India’s
maritime surveillance capability in the Indian
Ocean Region.
According to Boeing Defense India head Dennis
Swanson, two more aircraft will be delivered by
end-2013, and the remaining as per the agreed
schedule.
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