NEW DELHI: India is set to go ahead with a $3.1-billion deal with the US to acquire maritime aircraft for the Navy that will add to its surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. The procurement of 10 Boeing P8I maritime patrol aircraft is likely to be cleared at a key acquisition meeting next week, with the contract to be processed under the foreign military sales (FMS) route.
The deal, which will include a mandatory clause for at least 30% offsets to domestic companies, will add to the 12 P8I aircraft that have already been ordered by India and will help maintain strong vigil over a region that has seen increasing deployments by the Chinese Navy.
