India and the United States are moving closer to finalising a USD 3 billion defence agreement under which the Indian Navy will acquire six additional P-8I anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance aircraft. The deal comes as bilateral ties between the two countries improve following a recent trade agreement.
The Indian Navy currently operates 12 P-8I aircraft from its bases in Arakonam and Goa, which are used to monitor India’s eastern and western maritime zones. The proposed acquisition is expected to further strengthen India’s ability to track naval activities, particularly in strategic regions involving Chinese and Pakistani movements.
According to defence sources, the proposal is likely to be reviewed by the Defence Ministry soon and will subsequently require approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security. Negotiations for the deal had been ongoing for years but were delayed due to pricing issues.
In addition to the P-8I aircraft, the Indian Navy is also set to enhance its surveillance capabilities through the induction of 15 MQ-9 Sea Guardian drones from 2029, as well as 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones across the defence forces.
