Indian Navy to double orders for P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft
06 Dec 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Navy will eventually boast of a fleet of 24 Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft which will boost its surveillance and attack capabilities over India's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. Indian Navy chief has confirmed that his force will place additional orders for 12 more of these state-of-the –aircraft, over and above the 12 already on order.
Admiral Nirmal Verma, chief of the naval staff, has revealed the fresh order in an interview with a defence magazine.
Admiral Verma also said his force was satisfied with the progress of the first eight P-8Is being built by Boeing under a 2009 order and that the second order for four more aircraft was being processed. It would be placed within the current fiscal ending March 2012.
At a later date, it was planned to acquire 12 more P-8Is, bringing the total to 24.
The navy has to cover a vast expanse of territory with the country's coastline exceeding 7,500 km, and also several island territories.