Boeing delivers second P-8I naval warplane to India

India received the second of its eight contracted P-8I surveillance aircraft from Boeing Co today, the US aircraft manufacturer said in a statement.

This second delivery doubles the country's long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Boeing delivered the first P-8I to India in May. Based on Boeing's ''next-generation'' 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy's variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing has developed for the US Navy.

"With two aircraft at Naval Station Rajali now, the Indian Navy will get a good feel of the P-8I's interoperability with other aircraft," said Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I programme manager.

"Acceptance trials on the first aircraft are progressing well and its availability for testing has been excellent, in large part due to Boeing's worldwide 737 support capabilities."

While the new aircraft is to begin flight trials in the coming months, the first P-8I recently completed testing its weapons capabilities, including successfully firing a Boeing Harpoon missile at a target and dropping a torpedo.

In order to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing team is using a first-in-industry, in line production process that draws on the company's 737 production system.

The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems, and GE Aviation.