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| Indian Navy P-8I Poseidon (File Photo) |
By Franz-Stefan Gady
India’s defense minister officially inducted eight Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft into the Indian Navy last week.
On November 13, India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar officially inducted the Indian Navy’s first squadron of Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft at Rajali Naval Air Station in southern India, about 70 kilometers off Chennai.
According to a press release from the Indian Navy, the Indian defense minister flew in on board a P-8I Poseidon aircraft prior to attending the official ceremony. “During the flight, Shri Parrikar was given an exposure to various sensors and other sophisticated state-of-the-art equipment and their capabilities,” the press statement reads.
In his remarks, Parrikar pointed out that even during the extensive trial and testing phases the P-8I aircraft had “achieved a number of operational milestones” including “participation in the search effort for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370, the first successful firing of air launched Harpoon Block II missile in the world, torpedo firing, and active participation in major naval exercises.”
The new unit — designated Indian Naval Air Squadron 312-A — will be permanently based at Rajali Naval Air Station.
Read the full story at The Diplomat