Next week, high-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and Boeing are scheduled to visit India for discussions regarding the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. This visit underscores the continuing defense cooperation between the United States and India, despite recent trade tensions.
Background of U.S.-India Defence Relations
Over the last two decades, the U.S. has become a major defense supplier to India, its largest military exercise partner, and has taken steps to improve interoperability and coordination. Technical agreements have also been signed to expand India's access to high-end American defense technology. The United States and India are key partners in "The Quad," which also includes Japan and Australia.
The P-8I Poseidon Aircraft
The P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy. It is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon used by the U.S. Navy. India was the first international customer for the P-8, with the P-8I tailored to Indian Navy specifications, including enhanced communication systems and Indian-developed sonobuoys and anti-ship missiles. As of June 2024, the Indian Navy has inducted twelve P-8I aircraft, logging over 29,000 flight hours.
The P-8I is based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800. It can carry air-to-surface missiles on hardpoints fitted to the wings and has an internal weapons bay in the forward section of the under-fuselage. It is designed to protect India's coastline and territorial waters and can conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Strategic Importance of the P-8I
The P-8I significantly enhances India’s maritime domain awareness and power projection capabilities, serving as a force multiplier in maintaining a secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean. Its multi-mission capabilities allow India to respond to various maritime challenges, including military threats, non-state actors, and humanitarian crises. The Indian Navy has strategically positioned its P-8I fleet to monitor critical sea lanes and chokepoints in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Ongoing Cooperation
The Indian Army and the U.S. Army are currently participating in the Yudh Abhyas combined military exercise in Alaska. Such exercises advance interoperability, readiness, and cooperation between the two partners. India conducts more military exercises with the U.S. than with any other country. Despite trade tensions, military-to-military engagements continue to be the norm. The two sides are leveraging the security component of their partnership to mend fractured bilateral ties.
Historical Perspective
Defense cooperation between India and the U.S. began during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. In 2016, the U.S. declared India a "Major Defense Partner," a status unique to India, signaling that the country would be treated on par with the U.S.'s closest allies.
P-8I Fleet Sustainment
Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), a subsidiary of Air India, has signed a deal with Boeing to maintain the Indian Navy's P-8I fleet. AIESL has also overhauled the landing gear of the entire aircraft fleet.
Potential Challenges
A recent report suggested that India had paused the planned acquisition of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft due to cost escalations, partly driven by new U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. However, Indian defence ministry officials have refuted this report, stating that procurement deals are being processed as per existing procedures.
