Aircraft Based On P-8 Poseidon With Some India-Unique Design Features

The first Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft arrived on schedule Thursday at India Naval Station Rajali. The P-8I is one of eight aircraft Boeing is building for India as part of a contract awarded in 2009.  

“Boeing is proud to deliver this advanced aircraft to meet the Indian Navy’s unique maritime patrol requirements,” said Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Military Aircraft. “The P-8I team, which includes our customer and Indian suppliers, has done a fantastic job working together, and we’re on track to deliver the next two P-8I aircraft later this year."

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy. The P-8I incorporates not only India-unique design features, but also India-built subsystems that are tailored to the country’s maritime patrol requirements.

The Wall Street Journal reports that India ordered the aircraft in 2009. The contract is worth some $2.1 billion. It is one of several defense contracts into which the country has entered as it replaces much of its Soviet-era defense equipment in an attempt to keep pace with China and Pakistan.

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com