Indian Navy gets first Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (With image)
India will receive this aircraft and two more of its eight contracted P-8Is in 2013, Boeing said in a press release Thursday.
The programme is progressing on schedule as Boeing assembles the fourth and fifth P-8Is, which are designed for long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, it said.
The first P-81 for the Indian Navy, a derivative of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, began its official flight test programme last July with a fully loaded version of the plane demonstrating its flying qualities and handling characteristics in a test flight.
Over the next few months, Boeing test pilots put the first P-8I through its paces over a US Navy test range west of Neah Bay, Washington, and a joint US/Canadian test range in the Strait of Georgia, Boeing said.
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.
(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)