Boeing delivers second P-8I aircraft to India

American aircraft major Boeing has delivered a second P-8I aircraft to India.

According to a report issued by the web site avionicsintelligence.com, the delivery of this aircraft will effectively double the Indian Navy's long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The web site further revealed that Boeing is building eight P-8I aircraft for India.

The first P-8I aircraft was delivered to India in May this year.

The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon, which Boeing developed for the U.S. Navy.

The flight trials of the second aircraft will begin in the coming months.

The first P-8I recently completed testing its weapons capabilities, including firing a Boeing Harpoon missile at a target and dropping a torpedo.

"With two aircraft at Naval Station Rajali now, the Indian Navy will get a good feel for the P-8I's interoperability with other aircraft," the web site quoted Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I program manager, as saying.

He added: "Acceptance trials on the first aircraft are progressing well and its availability for testing has been excellent, in large part due to Boeing's worldwide 737 support capabilities."

In order 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.

The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts, and support equipment. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems, and GE Aviation.