In a big boost to the Navy’s reconnaissance and anti-submarine capabilities along the western coast, its P-8I aircraft began operations from the INS Hansa Naval Air Base in Goa. Till now, the aircraft were based in Tamil Nadu on the eastern seaboard.
The Navy stated, “Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa with two aircraft arriving” on December 30. The aircraft, it said, “were inducted after fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials”.
The two aircraft were welcomed by a formation of Navy’s MiG-29k.
The Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013, which are stationed at INS Rajala Naval Air Base at Akakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
