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P-8I Patrol Aircraft
It is a long-range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft.
It is an Indian variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that Boeing company developed as a replacement for the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.
With a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8Is detect threats and neutralize them if required, far before they come anywhere near Indian shores.
The Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft in 2009.
The Navy had procured eight P-8Is under a USD 2.2 billion deal in 2009.
The aircraft are part of the 312A Naval Air Squadron based at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
In 2016, the Navy exercised the optional clause for four more P-8Is in a deal worth over USD 1 billion.
Further in May 2021, the US State Department approved the possible sale of six additional P-8I aircraft and related equipment, to India.
The six P-8Is will come installed with encrypted communication systems since India has now signed the foundational agreement Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the US.
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