Image Source: Agencies

US aerospace company Boeing on Thursday unveiled plans to accelerate the design, production, and maintenance of the P-8I long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft in India.
Currently, the Indian Navy has 12 P-8I aircraft.
The company said it has already generated a significant cash impact of $1.7 billion to support the Indian Navy's fleet of P-8I aircraft.
Boeing estimates that increasing the P-8I fleet to 18 aircraft will increase investment by approximately $1.5 billion, creating new opportunities for the Indian aerospace and defense sector by 2032.
"Boeing's commitment to advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat drives our commitment to the P-8I fleet," said Salil Gupte, President, of Boeing India. "Responding to the Indian Navy's need for additional P-8Is, we are actively working to improve design, manufacturing and maintenance in India, in India and globally, benefiting both Indian and global customers," he said. press conference for the media.
Based on the next-generation 737 platform, the P-8I aircraft has become an integral part of the Indian Navy's fleet since its inception in 2013 and has crossed 40,000 flight hours in high mission readiness.
Boeing played a key role in setting up the Ashok Roy Training Simulator Complex at INS Rajali and the Kochi Training Complex, which opened in April this year, company officials said.

They said this ground-based training will reduce aircraft training, which will increase the mission capability and aircraft availability of the Indian Navy.
"We are proud to partner with the Indian Navy for the exceptional capability the P-8 provides as a proven multi-role aircraft while enhancing Indo-Indo-Pacific interoperability and maritime security requirements," said Vice President Dan Gillian. president and CEO, of Mobility, Surveillance and Bombers, Boeing Defense, Space and Security. "Boeing is also committed to expanding its P-8 supply network in India, which currently includes 15 public and private micro, small and medium enterprises that are part of Boeing's global supply chain and provide critical parts, components, and services for the P.8 . . .


Boeing said the global P-8 fleet numbers more than 160 aircraft that have accumulated more than 500,000 accident-free flight hours worldwide.
In addition to India, the aircraft is flown by the United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, and Germany.