First Int'l Customer For Maritime Patrol Aircraft

The Government of India recently selected Boeing to provide eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to the Indian navy. The P-8I is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the US Navy.

India is the first international customer for the P-8. Boeing will deliver the first P-8I within 48 months of the contract signing, and the remaining seven by 2015.

"The men and women of The Boeing Company are pleased that India has selected the P-8I," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "This aircraft will provide outstanding capabilities tailored to India's unique maritime-patrol requirements."

Based on Boeing's commercial 737-800 airliner, the P-8I is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that can operate over land or water while performing anti-submarine warfare missions; search and rescue; maritime interdiction; and long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.

"Throughout the negotiations, both sides worked diligently to give India the most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world today," said Vivek Lall, Boeing IDS vice president and India country head. "The result of these efforts will bring the Indian navy advanced technology that is unmatched in maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and the reach and capability it needs to defend India's vast coastline and maritime waters."

The order is a boon for Boeing, as it comes on the heels of rumors the US Navy may scrap plans to purchase three of the first tranche of P-8A Poseidons in favor of spending those funds on the last of three DDG-1000 destroyers from Northrop Grumman.

FMI: www.boeing.com/ids/