India belatedly receives ninth Neptune
Delivery was delayed by four months due to COVID-19
The Indian Navy on 17 November received its ninth P-8I Neptune long-range maritime reconnaissance and ASW aircraft.
This aircraft was scheduled to be handed over to the Indian Navy in July, but delivery was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
India has three other P-8Is on order from manufacturer Boeing. These aircraft will be handed over in 2021. In June 2019, according to Shephard Defence Insight, the US cleared the potential sale of ten more P-8Is for INR22,500 crore ($3.2 billion).
Since the first aircraft entered service with the Indian Navy in 2013, the P-8I fleet has clocked up more than 25,000 flight hours, according to Boeing. The aircraft are currently employed on surveillance missions over the Ladakh region, which is the scene of continuing military tension between China and India.
Support from Boeing for the P-8I fleet, as part of a deal signed in 2019, includes construction of a Training Support and Data Handling Centre at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu, plus a secondary centre at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology in Kochi.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway]()
Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway
Romania has continued to marking progress in its efforts to modernise its air force and replace its Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters.
-
![Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems]()
Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems
Mesh Rider is a SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) optimised mesh radio designed for uncrewed systems and supports six frequency bands in a single transceiver and AES-256 encryption. It was developed in cooperation with the US Defense Innovation Unit.
-
![UK finalises Airbus H145 helicopter order while NMH programme timeline continues to slip]()
UK finalises Airbus H145 helicopter order while NMH programme timeline continues to slip
The UK signed a $150 million contract for six Airbus H145 helicopters to enhance military operations in Brunei and Cyprus, replacing aging Puma HC2s. At the same time, questions remain over the fate of the New Medium Helicopter programme amidst uncertainties surrounding procurement plans and delivery timelines.
