New Delhi, Date 5
The impact of the strengthening of bilateral relations after the recent trade agreement between India and the US is now clearly visible on defense cooperation.
Under the same development, both the countries are seen moving towards a major defense deal worth about 3 billion US dollars. This proposal is related to six additional P-8I anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy.
Due to which India’s surveillance capability in the Indian Ocean region is expected to be further strengthened. The Indian Navy currently has 12 P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft. Which are being operated from air bases in Arakkonam and Goa in Tamil Nadu.
Through these aircraft, the Navy monitors the activities of the enemy along the eastern and western seaboard as well as in its entire area of responsibility. With the inclusion of six aircraft, there will be a significant increase in the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance capabilities.
According to defence sources, the proposal for the purchase of six new P-8I aircraft may soon be sent to the defence ministry for approval. After getting the ministry’s approval, the proposal will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval.
The Navy’s purchase plan was under consideration for a long time but the talks were stalled for a long time due to price-related issues.
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