P-8I Poseidon
India's Maritime Patrol Aircraft
The Boeing P-8I is a specialised maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Indian Navy, designated the "Poseidon" in its base US Navy variant and "P-8I" for India's customised configuration. It is India's primary platform for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The P-8I was India's first major military aircraft acquisition from the United States and represented Boeing's first military sale to India.
- Initial order: 8 aircraft under a US$2.1 billion agreement signed January 2009; additional 4 ordered subsequently (total 12 delivered)
- The P-8I was the first international variant of the P-8 Poseidon platform
- Role: ASW (detection and tracking of submarines), ASUW (anti-ship operations), ISR (maritime domain awareness)
- Base: Indian Navy operates its P-8I fleet from INS Hansa (Goa)
- Propulsion: Two CFM International CFM56 turbofan engines; derived from Boeing 737-800 ERX airframe
- India confirmed in 2026 it will proceed with additional P-8I acquisitions
● Tracked since February 05, 2026 · last seen May 14, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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