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.