Boeing delivers sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India
via Indra I, Phase II, a joint Indo– Russia Air Force exercise was held at Air Force Station Halwara (Punjab) from November 17. The Phase I of the Avia Indra I was held at Astrakhan near the Caspian Sea in Russia in August 2014.
Media from Punjab also had an opportunity to witness the exercise at SK (SidhwanKhas) Range. Such exercises, specially with Russia, are of significance as the IAF has a large inventory of Russian equipment. For the diverse defence needs of the two air forces there is much to benefit from such engagements for both sides.
During the exercise, fighter helicopter and missile crew of the two countries operated together. It included air-to-ground
Boeing delivered the sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, on schedule, on November 24, arriving at the Naval Air Station Rajali to join five others being used by the Indian Navy. The P-8I is part of a contract of eight awarded in 2009. The final two deliveries are scheduled for 2015.
“The P-8I’s arrival in India is another key milestone for the programme and marks our final delivery of the year,” said Dennis Swanson, Vice President, Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India. “The Indian Navy is currently conducting missions with the first five aircraft, and this newest P-8I will begin flight trials in the coming months.”
Based on the company’s next-generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the US Navy.
The P-8I incorporates not only Indiaunique design features, but also Indianbuilt sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country’s maritime patrol requirements. The P-8I features open systems architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
“We have a great partnership with India, which has helped us keep the programme on schedule and on budget,” said Mark Jordan, Boeing P-8 International Program Manager.
In order to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company’s nextgeneration 737 production system. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.