Fifth Indian P-8I MPA arrives in-country
The fifth aircraft to be delivered by Boeing for India’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) programme has arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali, the company reported on 10 September.
Boeing is on track to deliver all eight aircraft ordered for the programme on schedule. One further P-8I will be delivered before the end of 2014, with the final two scheduled for delivery in 2015. Boeing was awarded the contract for the aircraft in 2009.
The P-8I MPA fleet will bring the Indian Navy advanced maritime patrol capabilities. The P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the US Navy.
Vice Admiral RK Pattanaik, India Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, said: ‘The P-8I programme is progressing on schedule, and the aircraft are providing the capabilities to meet our maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements.’
Mark Jordan, P-8 international program manager, Boeing, added: ‘We appreciate that senior representatives of the Indian Navy were with us in Seattle to participate in delivery activities and watch the plane take off for Rajali. It’s a great accomplishment for the entire team, and we’re hard at work assembling and testing the next P-8I in line for delivery.’
The P-8I incorporates India-unique design features, and Indian-built sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country’s maritime patrol requirements. The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
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.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition]()
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
![How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?]()
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
![Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment]()
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
![South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest]()
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
