Indian Navy Set to Get 6 New P-8I Patrol Aircraft Amid Rising Chinese Activity

A new deal for P-8I patrol aircraft is likely to be finalized between India and the US soon. Sources said that a joint team of American officials and Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, is arriving in India on Tuesday. They will negotiate a $4 billion deal for six P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Navy already operates 12 P-8I patrol aircraft. Under previous agreements, 8 P-8I aircraft were purchased in 2009 and 4 in 2016. Following this, the Navy expressed its desire to acquire more aircraft.

Only last week, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. received the third engine for the Tejas light combat aircraft from American company General Electric. The signs are clear that, after tensions over the tariff war, defense relations between America and India are warming up again.

The P-8I can detect and target submarines deep underwater. This reconnaissance aircraft is crucial amid China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean. It can fly up to 8,300 kilometers at once, gather intelligence, and is equipped with torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and advanced multi-mission surface search radar. India has also used this aircraft to capture clear images of Chinese activities in border areas.