Boeing delivered the fifth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India on September 9 as part of a contract for eight aircraft to support the Indian Navy's maritime patrol requirements.
According to India Strategic, the aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali, after a flight from Seattle's Boeing Field, and joined the four previously delivered P-8Is.
The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral R K Patnaik, said the P-8I program is progressing on schedule and added that the partnership between Boeing and India has been very professional to date.
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 U.S. Navy.
The P-8I incorporates not only India-unique design features, but also Indian-built sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country's maritime patrol requirements.
