New Delhi: India is revisiting its decision to procure six additional P-8I long-range maritime patrol and submarine-hunting aircraft from United States. This decision had been put on hold about three years ago, but with growing security concerns, particularly the expanding Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region, the case is being re-examined.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s summit with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, government sources said that India is asking the US to provide a reasonable quote for the six P-8I aircraft under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The decision will depend on whether the offer is feasible for India’s operational needs.
Existing fleet of P-8I aircraft in Indian Navy
India’s Navy already operates 12 P-8I aircraft, which are equipped with advanced technology such as multi-mode radars, electro-optic sensors, and a range of weapons like Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, and depth charges. These aircraft were acquired through two major deals, totaling over $3.2 billion, signed in 2009 and 2016.
The P-8Is are primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and surveillance of enemy warships. However, these aircraft have also been crucial for monitoring Chinese military movements along India’s disputed border with China, especially in the wake of the ongoing military confrontation in eastern Ladakh since April 2020, as reported by The Times Of India.
In May 2021, the US State Department had notified its Congress about a proposed sale of six more P-8I aircraft worth $2.4 billion to India. However, India had put the deal on hold, causing the price offer to expire. If India decides to move forward with the deal now, the cost is expected to increase due to the delay.
In addition to the P-8Is, India is also set to acquire 15 of the 31 weaponized MQ-9B ‘Predator’ drones under a $3.4 billion deal signed with the U.S. in October. These drones are designed for long-range “hunt and kill” missions and will be used by the Navy, Army and Indian Air Force (IAF).
US defence deals
Since 2007, the US has secured over $25 billion worth of defense deals with India, and US government is keen to expand this further. During a phone conversation on January 27, President Trump urged India to increase its procurement of U.S.-made defense systems.
Apart from P-8I aircraft, US is also pushing for joint manufacturing of the Stryker armored infantry combat vehicles and co-production of General Electric F414-INS6 aero-engines in India for the Tejas Mark-II fighter aircraft. The US is also interested in India’s project to acquire 114 new multi-role fighter aircraft in a collaboration that is expected to cost approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
Furthermore, US aviation giant Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, is also vying for India’s medium transport aircraft project, which aims to replace the aging Soviet-era AN-32 fleet with 80 new aircraft.
