Indian Navy Seeks to Expand P-8I Fleet, Citing Urgent Need for Six More Surveillance Aircraft Amid Growing Chinese Presence in IOR

The Indian Navy is pushing for the acquisition of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This renewed effort comes amidst growing concerns over the increasing presence of the Chinese navy in the region and a renewed push from the United States for greater defence cooperation.

India currently operates a fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft, deployed on both its eastern and western seaboards. These aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-800 platform, are equipped with cutting-edge technology for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. They play a crucial role in monitoring the strategically vital IOR, especially in light of the expanding Chinese naval activities.

The push for additional P-8I aircraft is driven by the Indian Navy's assessment that at least 18 aircraft are needed to effectively patrol the vast IOR and address the rising maritime threats. Expanding the fleet would not only enhance surveillance capabilities but also provide much-needed operational flexibility and redundancy.

While the deal for these additional aircraft was previously stalled due to budgetary constraints and cost concerns within the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the evolving geopolitical landscape has led to a reassessment of priorities. The strategic importance of these aircraft in countering China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, a view strongly advocated by the United States, has added further impetus to the acquisition.

The high cost of acquiring and maintaining these sophisticated aircraft was a major obstacle in previous negotiations with Boeing. However, the MoD is now actively reviewing several past defence deals, including the P-8I procurement, with a renewed focus on bolstering India's defence capabilities in the face of regional security challenges.

The Indian Navy remains steadfast in its pursuit of these additional surveillance aircraft, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining maritime domain awareness. The P-8I's ability to detect, track, and potentially engage submarines, along with its comprehensive surveillance capabilities, makes it an indispensable asset for safeguarding India's maritime interests in the IOR.

 

[Scronkfinkle]

The p8I's the globemasters and the hercules these aircrafts need to be procured there is no better alternative and real force projection equipment these are

 

[Anant]

6 P8I and 15 CH47 is atleast 3 billion USD. the engines, we are paying and not free

It is easily over 3.5 billion USD. However, a good chunk of it will be manufacturing costs and basic export margins. You haven't given them enough profits to pay for what you are asking in return, let alone the additional profits to convince them.

 

[Anant]

Maybe Trum will subsidize these for India if he really wants India to purchase these aircraft. Boeing must also agree to integrate indian missiles to this aircraft to make it a viable deal.

Trump is going to subsidise nothing.

 

[P10]

Should be purchased along with C17 Globemaster deal

 

[Sandeep]

Should be purchased along with C17 Globemaster deal

C17 is not in production anymore and they won’t restart the production line at all despite many countries wanting it.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs Boeing to complete its previous offset requirements as they have delayed and dithered and almost got fined because of their non compliance.

Also these planes are the best in ASW and maritime patrol aircraft but they are very expensive to purchase and to operate. To prevent overuse, over reliance and cut down on operational costs on these planes we need to buy and use more drones to carry out the same task.

 

[Enforcer]

Yes. In fact, India should put a condition on the deal to integrate Indian weapon systems (cruise missiles and torpedoes) on P-8I if they want us to buy them.

But buddy why integrate indian weapons? We ordered MK54 torpedo and Harpoon missiles.

Air Force needs to use indigenous weapons cause Air and gorund warfare needs lots of ammunition. Naval warfare weapons are barely used. There a total of like 30 combat ships that pakistan has and like 200 or so that China has. Navy doesn't need immense firepower that it would make sense to integrate indian weapons to cut cost down.

They fit perfectly inside the weapons bay. MK54 torpedo is way better than our TAL and we have no competitor option to Harpoon.

Brahmos is too large to fit inside the weapons bay.

 

[beencensured]

India can buy other items needed that should not hurt developmental programs

 

[Anant]

Tata has tie up with Airbus for C295. See which tech apart from jet engine are out of our reach. Ask Boeing to transfer those tech along with full MRO tech. Order upgraded 8-10 P8I enhanced and 10-12 C-17's.

Sir, while we could use 10-12 more C-17s, that would be contingent on Boeing reopening the production lines, which needs a massive market study before that, since you'd need a significantly larger order than 10-12 for restarting of production to be economically viable.

 

[Anant]

India can buy other items needed that should not hurt developmental programs

Um, boss, we don't have any ASW jets in the works, the C-295 MPA fulfills a slightly different role, and we do have a stated need for these jets given that Pakistan's main force against us in the naval realm is submarines.

 

[vinod nair]

But buddy why integrate indian weapons? We ordered MK54 torpedo and Harpoon missiles.

That their problem we want all indian weapons to be integrated with it

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Sir, while we could use 10-12 more C-17s, that would be contingent on Boeing reopening the production lines, which needs a massive market study before that, since you'd need a significantly larger order than 10-12 for restarting of production to be economically viable.

There may be few other countries interested in it. May be we should ask Boeng to go for a market study.

 

[Out_for_vendetta]

So what? We wanted more of these anyways. What pressure are they talking about?

This time we should try to negotiate upgraded weapons package which includes AGM-158C LRASM.

Whats special about AGM-158C ? Genuine question. Don't we have any cruise missiles of that caliber?

 

[Enforcer]

Whats special about AGM-158C ? Genuine question. Don't we have any cruise missiles of that caliber?

Great Question. We don't have medium size cruise missiles. Brahmos is our only cruise missile and its too big and complicated to launch from an aircraft. We use Kh35, a Russian equivalent of Harpoon.

P8 aircrafts actually have an interior weapons bay and also exterior hardpoints.

AGM-158C compared to Harpoon offers longer range by about 100 km, offers heavier warhead of 1000 pounds and is stealthy with stealth coating. It consists of newer guidance system and is capable of 3m CEP. 3m CEP allows you to target any particular part of the ship. Both fly subsonic but AGM-158C flies farther. Technically with a lighter warhead, AGM-158C can reach 1500 KM but that version is under consideration for development. AGM-158C stealth can theoretically be undetected by radar until its too close to react.

 

[Enforcer]

That their problem we want all indian weapons to be integrated with it

That's not possible. Also what indian weapons are you referring? Brahmos is too big and also its russian. Our TAL torpedo is actually inferior to MK54 in all ways possible. Even if you wanted that, im sure indian navy don't care. Navy just wants the best weapon that they can get.

We don't have anything like harpoon missile.

So Good luck.