Despite Tariff Tensions, India Eyes P-8I Naval Aircraft From US: $4 Billion Deal On The Anvil

Despite the ongoing debate and disruption caused by tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump, India’s relationship with the United States appears to remain stable. A group of American defence officials and Boeing representatives is expected to visit India next week to discuss a multi-billion-dollar deal for patrol aircraft.

Officials from the US Department of Defense and Boeing will arrive in the coming days, likely next week, to discuss the stalled $4 billion agreement for six P-8I naval patrol aircraft. This deal could strengthen the Indian Navy’s surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities in the Indian Ocean.

India-US defence deal for P-8I naval aircraft soon?

The meetings between the defence officials from the two countries aim to clarify the final terms of the agreement, with both sides expected to go over technical details. According to a Bloomberg report, the talks will focus on India’s plan to acquire six P-8I aircraft. Although the purchase was approved in 2019, negotiations later came to a halt.

The Indian Navy had originally requested ten aircraft, but approval was granted for six in November 2019. The US State Department authorized the sale in May 2021. India previously bought eight P-8Is under a $2.2 billion deal in 2009, during the time of UPA-2, followed by four more aircraft ten years later. The fleet is based in Tamil Nadu and carries out wide-ranging surveillance across the Indian Ocean and key sea routes.

As per a report in India Today, the visiting delegation will include officials from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Navy International Programs Office (NIPO), the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290), and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

NIPO handles US maritime security partnerships, while PMA-290 is responsible for acquiring and supporting patrol aircraft around the world.

What makes P-8I naval aircraft significant?

P-8I aircraft are built for long-range patrols and are capable of detecting and targeting submarines at significant depths, helping to strengthen India’s maritime security network.

Not only the naval aircraft incorporates India-unique design features, Indian-built sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country’s maritime patrol requirements. The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.

Alongside the new P-8I aircraft, the Indian Navy plans to expand its surveillance operations with thirty-one MQ-9B drones, expected to arrive by 2029. These unmanned systems will provide real-time updates across the Indian Ocean, which sees traffic from over fifty naval ships and 20,000 merchant vessels.