The United State’s State Department on April 30, 2021 approved the proposed sale of six P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India. It is a deal estimated to cost $2.42 billion.
- The P-8I is based on the Boeing 737 commercial aircraft and India was its first international customer.
- In November 2019, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the procurement of the long-range maritime surveillance aircraft manufactured by Boeing. The DAC is chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- The possible sale comes through the Foreign Military Sale route and requires that the U.S. Congress be notified.
- The Indian Navy is currently in the process of inducting the four P-8Is contracted under the offset clause in 2016.
- The Navy had procured eight P-8Is in a $2.2-billion deal in 2009 with the optional clause for four more. The aircraft are part of the 312A Naval Air Squadron based at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
- With India having signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) foundational agreement with the U.S., the six aircraft will come fitted with encrypted systems. .
(Source: The Hindu)
