Boeing delivers fifth maritime patrol aircraft to India

NEW YORK: Boeing has delivered the fifth maritime patrol aircraft to India as part of a deal for eight aircraft to support the Indian Navy's maritime patrol requirements.

The P-8I aircraft incorporates not only India-unique design features, but also Indian-built sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country's maritime patrol requirements.

It features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment, the company said in a statement.

Boeing will deliver one more P-8I before the end of the year and two in 2015.

India's Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral RK Pattanaik said the P-8I programme is progressing on schedule, and the aircraft are providing the capabilities to meet India's maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements.

The P-8I aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali in Tamil Nadu, after a flight from Seattle's Boeing Field, and joined the four previously delivered P-8Is.

"This is another important milestone for the program, and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with India," Boeing Defense, Space & Security vice president in India Dennis Swanson said.

Boeing is building India's aircraft through a contract awarded in 2009. Based on the company's Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the US Navy.

With a view to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system.

Boeing, which has been active in India for 70 years, said it is focused on delivering value to its Indian customers with its advanced technologies and performance driven aircraft underscored by life-cycle support services.