In a big boost to India’s defence capabilities, the Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa in Goa today, with two aircraft arriving on 30 December 2021.
The aircraft were inducted after the fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials.
Indian Navy's Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa with two aircraft arriving on 30 December 2021. The aircraft were inducted after fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials.#IndianNavy pic.twitter.com/3MtdNr2bFu
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The Indian Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.
“The second batch of four additional aircraft will be based at Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, to be commissioned at INS Hansa,” the Indian Navy said.
The Indian Navy last month received its 11th anti-submarine warfare P-8I aircraft from the US defence company Boeing. The Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft arrived in Goa from Seattle.
The Union Defence Ministry had in 2009 signed a contract with Boeing for the procurement of eight P-8i aircraft. In 2016, a contract for an additional four P-8is was signed.
