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The Indian Defence Ministry is close to finalizing a global tender for the lease of an unspecified number of Maritime reconnaissance aircraft. While India has recently sealed a major deal for the acquisition of six P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (LRMR) from Boeing, the recent lease is aimed at fulfilling the needs of the naval forces while it awaits the delivery of the Boeing aircraft.
Hence, the Indian Defence Ministry will soon be floating global tenders for the leasing of Maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The need to acquire additional LRMR has become an important issue since the navy is unable to monitor and protect the coastline. The recent attacks in Mumbai have highlighted the same.
Currently, the Indian Navy is operating eight Russian Tupolev-142M Turboprops which are not very powerful and IL-38 Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRA) which are nearing obsolescence. The first delivery from Boeing is expected only in 2012 as per the delivery schedule.
The $2.2 billion deal with the U.S to buy eight Boeing P-8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft for the Indian Navy is India’s biggest ever defence deal with the U.S signed on January 1st this year.
The P-8I is a modification of the P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft currently being developed for the U.S Navy. It will be customized for Indian needs and will bolster Indian Navy’s maritime patrolling capabilities and extend its reach up to 600 nautical miles. It is fitted with weapons like torpedoes, depth bombs and anti-ship missiles.
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