Hello, Warriors! The Indian Navy on Friday added more power to its air wing when the first squadron of Boeing Poseidon 8-India long-range maritime patrol aircraft was dedicated to the nation.
Defence minister Manohar Parikkar dedicated the Indian variant of Boeing’s Poseidon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft to the nation on Friday, the 13th. The event was held at INS Rajali, Indian Navy’s air station in Aarkonam, Tamil Nadu, India’s premier Naval Air Station in southern India, about 70 Km off Chennai.
Here’s all you need to update about the Boeing’s P-8I:
- Armed with the mighty Harpoon anti-ship missile, the Boeing P-8I Squadron (INAS 312A) will boost Navy’s activities such as anti-surface warfare, long-range anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance and littoral missions.
- P-8I is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, developed by Boeing as a replacement of US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.
- The aircraft will provide the Indian Navy the necessary reach and flexibility to undertake extensive surveillance as also to respond swiftly and effectively to contingencies in India’s areas of interest.
- The P-8I aircraft has achieved a number of operational milestones which the first successful firing of air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world, torpedo firing and active participation in major naval exercises.
- The aircraft was deployed by the Indian Navy from Malaysia and Port Blair as India’s flag bearer during the search for missing Malaysian Airlines MH 370 in March 2015.
- Indian Navy became the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft. India inked a deal worth US $2.1 billion on January 1, 2009 for a total of eight aircraft. The first aircraft was received on 15th May, 2013.
- The last of the eight aircraft was accepted by India last month and all the planes have undergone thorough testing and trials, including successful firing of the first air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world.
- All eight aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Navy. The communication and sensor suites are developed by Indian industries and it has a maximum endurance of about 10 hours.
- The induction of all eight aircraft has reinforced the long-range maritime reconnaissance and air anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy. It will also provide enhanced maritime surface and sub-surface surveillance in the entire Indian Ocean Region.
- With a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of over 1,200 nautical miles, with four hours on station, the P-8Is will be able to detect threats and neutralize them if required — far before they come anywhere near Indian shores.
- The aircraft would be placed under the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command, based at INS Rajali and operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron 312A.
- The Squadron is commanded by Commander Venkateshwaran Ranganathan.
These aircraft will be a real force multiplier in the Bay of Bengal region and the area around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with their capability to track down enemy ships and destroy them. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been detailing ships and submarines around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and on some occasions had to be warned against entering India’s territorial waters. The Andaman islands is one of the most susceptible to an attack by the PLAN.
With the induction of the P-8I, the Indian Navy can be more alert and effective in such occasions.
