New Delhi: India now seems to be reliving its case for the acquisition of six P-8i more advanced long -range maritime patrol and underwater hunting plane of the United States, which was waiting about three years ago.
Before the top of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, government sources said the case is “reexamine” due to the operational need to further expand surveillance in the Indian Ocean and beyond of constant expansion expansion. Chinese footprint in the region.
“The United States has been asked to quote a reasonable price for the six P-8i plane For the proposed government to government under its foreign military sales program (FMS). Then it will be seen whether it is feasible or not, “said a source. 54 light torpedoes, rockets and depth charges.
While the P-8is are mainly destined to hunt and destroy submarines and enemy wars Military confrontation broke out in eastern Ladakh in April 2020..
In May 2021, the US State Department had notified its Congress on the proposed sale of the six P-8is and equipment related to a value of $ 2.4 billion to India. The price offer, however, expired after India put the agreement on hold. Now, if India continues, the cost is intended to rise.
The Navy, of course, will also obtain 15 of the 31 drones MQ-9B ‘Predator’ armed armament for “hunting and killing” long-range missions under the mega contract of $ 3.4 billion signed with the last October of The United States, with the Army and IAF. Eight each.
The United States has pocketed the lucrative Indian defense agreements worth more than $ 25 billion only since 2007. But Trump is already pressing for more, and even asked India to increase their acquisition of weapons systems of origin between the United States and the United States during a telephone conversation with Modi on January 27.
In addition to P-8is, USA is the joint manufacture of eight eight-wheele -II, as previously reported by Toi.
The United States is also interested in the IAF long data project for 114 new multiple role -playing aircraft that are manufactured in India with a foreign collaboration in an initial estimate of RS 1.25 Lakh million rupees.
The great aviation of the USA. Uu. Lockheed Martin, in association with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, is also a contender for the IAF medium transport aircraft to acquire 80 airplanes to replace the old AN-32 fleet of Soviet origin.