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PICTURE: India's first 737-based P-8I nears flight debut By Craig Hoyle Boeing is close to conducting the first flight of a 737-800-based P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian navy, with its first example having emerged at the manufacturer’s Renton Field assembly site in Washington. Photographed by AirSpace user Brandon Farris earlier this month, the aircraft has already been painted in Indian markings and assigned the registration IN320. It is the first of eight P-8Is on order as replacements for the navy’s current Tupolev Tu-142 turboprops. The aircraft was last pictured as it entered final assembly in June. © Brandon...

India to get anti-submarine torpedoes from US Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, June 28, 2011 India will get lightweight anti-submarines torpedoes to arm the eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft it is buying from the US, with the Obama administration notifying the potential sale to the US Congress on Tuesday. The news was welcomed by the US embassy in New Delhi, which said the sale of Mk -54 torpedoes reflects the mutual benefits of the India-US security relationship. The Pentagon has "officially notified" the potential sale of Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes to the Indian Navy. The Mk-54 is the most advanced lightweight...

INTERVIEW: Boeing Gets India OK For Four More P-8I Maritime Planes By Nikhil Gulati and Santanu Choudhury Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW DELHI (Dow Jones)--India's federal government has approved the purchase of four more P-8I long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from Boeing Co., a senior executive at the U.S. defense contractor said Thursday. The company also expects India to sign a final agreement in the next few months for the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, Chris Chadwick, President of Boeing Military Aircraft, told Dow Jones Newswires. Boeing and its U.S. rival, Lockheed Martin Corp., are vying...

Indian P-8Is to have Harpoon II missiles By Greg Waldron India plans to buy Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon II anti-ship missiles and related equipment for its future fleet of P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that India has requested a possible purchase of 21 AGM-84Ls and five training missiles for an estimated $200 million. The proposed deal also includes a range of ancillary equipment, such as captive air training missiles, containers, parts, support and test equipment, publications and training. "India intends to use the missiles on its navy P-8I Neptune maritime patrol...