The Government of India has received approval from the US Department of State for the procurement of six Boeing P-8I Poseideon maritime patrol aircraft, along with related equipment and services. The potential acquisition is valued at $2.42 billion.
According to the DSCA report (Security and Defense Cooperation Agency), in addition to the planes, India requested authorization for the supply of communication systems, navigation, missile approach sensors, mission software, personnel training, technical and logistics, repair and replacement instruments and other items.
The Indian Navy acquired its first eight P-8Is in 2009, also marking the model's first export. The first unit was received in 2013, with four more being acquired in 2016. The aircraft replaced the Tupolev Tu-142, a maritime patrol version of the Soviet Tu-95 Bear bomber.
According to the American body, this possible acquisition will allow the Indian Navy to expand its maritime surveillance aircraft capacity for the next 30 years.
In addition to the United States and India, the P-8 is in service in Australia and the United Kingdom and has already been acquired by New Zealand, South Korea and Norway. In March, the US also approved the sale of five Poseidon to , which is looking for a replacement for its Lockheed P-3 Orion.
