Indian Navy gets 10th P-8I aircraft from Boeing
Indian Navy received 10th anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I from US-based aerospace company, Boeing.
Key Points
- Contract for eight P81 aircraft was signed by defence ministry in 2009.
- In 2016, ministry signed a contract for four additional P-8I aircraft.
- 10th P-81 aircraft is the second aircraft to be delivered under option contract for four additional aircraft that Defence ministry was awarded in 2016.
- P-81 aircrafts have been deployed to assist during disaster relief & humanitarian missions in addition to unmatched maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
- 9th aircraft was received by Indian Navy in November 2020.
About P-81 aircraft
P-81 is a patrol aircraft and an integral part of Indian Navy’s fleet. Aircraft has surpassed 30,000 flight hours since its induction in 2013. It is a long-range, multisession maritime patrol aircraft. It was delivered by Boeing for Indian Navy to replace ageing Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft of Indian navy. P-81 is a variant of P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft (MMA) and is operated by US Navy.
Significance of P81 aircraft
This aircraft was designed to protect vast coastline and territorial waters of India. It has the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Role of Boeing
Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation involved in designing, manufacturing and selling airplanes, rockets, rotorcraft, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles across the world. Boeing extends its support to India’s growing P-8I fleet by providing training to crews, spare parts, ground support equipment and field service representative support. It also provides an integrated logistics supports which enables a high state of fleet readiness at lowest possible cost.
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Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021