The Indian Navy released a new maritime doctrine in October envisaging an expanded footprint in the Indian Ocean and, besides aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered and nuclear attack submarines, there is appropriate emphasis on offensive naval aviation.
Besides the planned 45 MiG-29K combat jets that complement aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya's onboard and onshore capability, the most advanced weapon system in the navy's arsenal now is the P-8I Neptune long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft designed to hunt and kill enemy submarines. In fact, in terms of technology and capability, it is the most advanced warfare system in the last several years that any of the three Indian services have acquired.
The Indian Government had ordered eight aircraft, with an option for four more. Built on the civilian Boeing 737 platform, delivery of all the eight aircraft was recently completed on time and within the promised cost.
Reliable sources told this correspondent that discussions for four additional aircraft have begun with Boeing, and deliveries would begin soon after the contract is signed.
The Indian Navy has been operating Soviet-vintage Il-38 and Tu-142 maritime surveillance aircraft and, although the former have been upgraded for limited life extension, the latter are largely being replaced with the Boeing P-8Is.
Aircraft are the fastest to reach target areas, and the Boeing P-8I is easier and cheaper to operate in terms of technology and fuel, carries more load than any of the Soviet origin aircraft with the Navy, and has sensors and weapons to detect submarines and other threats 360 degrees.
The Indian Navy chief, Admiral Robin Dhowan, had told this correspondent in an earlier interview that besides the 12 P-8Is, the navy will be looking for nine medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft - of the same modern capability as that of P-8I - and 12 Dornier 228 short-range maritime reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft. The tender for the MRMRs is yet to be issued.
An older 1980s version of Dornier is being made by HAL and a new generation and more powerful version by the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), but this is only for exports.
All the aircraft are to have some level of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and, according to Admiral Dhowan, capability is the key towards any selection.
Raytheon has also given the multi-mission aircraft a highly sophisticated advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) APY-10 radar. The P-8I has 360 degree surveillance capability for electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) thanks to radars from Raytheon and Telephonics, while its weapons include depth charges, torpedoes and missiles.
The Indian Navy's P-8I Neptune is nearly the same as the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon, except for some changes like India's own data link made by BEL which the navy uses for all its ships and stations.
"The Boeing teams have been committed to building, delivering and supporting this aircraft for our important customer - the Indian Navy. Over the last six years, we have learned together, grown together and cemented a foundation for a long-term relationship that will last decades. To see this aircraft come to life at INS Rajali and perform the missions it was envisioned to do under the very able handling of the Indian Navy's sailors and officers has been truly amazing," Bell observed.
Read more at:
Indian Navy's P-8I recce aircraft key factor in India's new maritime strategy - The Economic Times
