India's US-Made Strategic Naval Aircraft Prepares for Launch

India's US-made strategic multi-mission maritime aircraft, P-8I, is gearing for its final launch flight as the second of the eight ordered flying machines rolled inside the Boeing production line. 


The P-8I will add to the strategic reach of the Indian Navy, sharpening its long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities to effectively dominate its 7,500-kilometre coastline. The P-8I is named on the pattern of the US Navy's similar version aircraft P-8A (Poseidon). 

The P-8I aircraft, to be equipped with the deadly Harpoon missiles, has been a dependable asset for the US Navy since the last few years and India is the first international customer of this variety of US defence product. 


The second P-8I, with the Indian flag and the Arakonam based INS Rajali's Albatross insignia on its cockpit, has joined the production-line at the US aviation giant's mission systems installation and checkout facility. 


While the first P-8I has already taken its test flight earlier this year, the second has also undergone its initial flight at the Boeing's Renton field. At present, two P-8A Posiedon of the US Navy stand ahead of the Indian jet in the production-line. 


The second Indian aircraft will soon be ready for weapon's and systems checking and then it will begin its final test flights. The first batch of three P-8I aircrafts is scheduled to be delivered to India by next year and the Navy is expected to base them at its base in Arakonam near Chennai. (DD India)