Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Indian Navy commissioned the 2nd P-8I squadron
MQ-9 STOL
Indian Navy commissioned the 2nd P8-I squadron
Indian Navy photo

Indian Navy commissioned the 2nd P-8I squadron

Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, Indian Navy's second P-8I aircraft squadron has been commissioned into the Indian Navy on 29 March 2022.

Naval News Staff 30 Mar 2022

Indian Navy press release

The impressive ceremony was conducted at INS Hansa, Goa on 29 March 2022. Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff was the Chief Guest for the event. 

Addressing the gathering, Adm R Hari Kumar stated that India is the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean region which reflects our country’s ability to play an effective strategic role in the region, and needs to expand its operational reach. The Indian Navy is integral to this commitment and in pursuance of this objective, the commissioning of INAS 316 marked yet another milestone towards enhancing maritime security and surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region.

INAS 316 has been christened ‘Condors’ which are one of the largest flying land birds with a massive wingspan. The insignia of the squadron depicts a ‘Condor’ searching over the vast blue expanse of the sea. ‘Condors’ are known for excellent sensory capabilities, powerful and sharp talons, and large massive wings symbolizing the capabilities of the aircraft and envisaged roles of the squadron. 

Commissionin ceremony of INAS 316 (Credit: Indian Navy)

INAS 316 will operate the Boeing P-8I aircraft, a multi-role Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMR ASW) aircraft, that can be equipped with a range of Air-to-Ship Missiles and Torpedoes. The ‘Game Changer’ aircraft is a potent platform for Maritime Surveillance and strike, Electronic warfare missions, Search and Rescue, providing targeting data to Weapon platforms, providing time-critical surveillance information for IA and IAF, and is also the platform of choice for detecting and neutralizing enemy ships and submarines in Indian Ocean Region.

The squadron has been specifically commissioned to be the home for the four new P-8I aircraft procured under the Options Clause contract and to ‘Deter, Detect and Destroy’ any threat in the IOR. These aircraft have been operating from Hansa since 30 December 2021 and the squadron is integrated with full-spectrum surface and subsurface Naval Operations. 

INAS 316 is commanded by Commander Amit Mohapatra, an accomplished Boeing P-8I pilot with extensive operational experience. He has also flown maritime air platforms such as IL-38 and Dornier 228 and also Commanded INS Baratang as well as served as the Executive Officer of INS Tarkash.

– End –

Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, Navy's 2nd P-8I aircraft sqn commissioned into #IndianNavy today #29Mar 22 in an impressive ceremony at #INSHansa, #Goa. Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff #CNS was the Chief Guest for the event (1/n)@DefenceMinIndiahttps://t.co/8TiHBPnCyD pic.twitter.com/sj8x5NTG97

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2022

About Indian Navy’s P-8I Neptune MPA

P-8I MPA Neptune MPA Indian Navy Boeing
The P-8I has been flown by the Indian Navy since 2013. Boeing picture.

The P-8A is a long-range multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. A military derivative of the Boeing Commercial Next-Generation 737 airplane, the P-8A combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the battlespace.

The P-8I is a customized export variant of the P-8A featuring specific equipment for the Indian Navy. Two major components not fitted on the P-8A are a Telephonics APS-143 OceanEye aft radar and a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD). India has received eight of the P-8I variant to date with four more in production to be delivered from April 2020. It intends to procure six more aircraft.

The P-8A is militarized with maritime weapons, a modern open mission system architecture, and commercial-like support for affordability. The aircraft has been modified to include a bomb bay and pylons for weapons – two weapons stations on each wing – and can carry 129 sonobuoys. The aircraft is also fitted with an in-flight refueling system. With more than 180,000 flight hours to date, P-8 variants, the P-8A Poseidon and the P-8I patrol the globe performing anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; humanitarian; and search and rescue missions.

The United Kingdom is one of six international customers for the P-8A Poseidon. The first British Poseidon MRA Mk1 was delivered in 2019. The U.S. Navy is on contract to receive 128. As a cooperative partner with the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Program Office, Australia began receiving their P-8A aircraft in 2016 with eight delivered and four more in production; Norway will begin receiving their five P-8As in 2022; both New Zealand and South Korea have signed agreements with the U.S. Navy to purchase four and six aircraft respectively.

Indian Navy P-8I 2022-03-30
Tags Indian Navy P-8I
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

India’s LCA Navy and MIG-29K Trap aboard New Aircraft Carrier Vikrant

India’s LCA Navy and MIG-29K Trap aboard New Aircraft Carrier Vikrant

Naval News Staff 06 Feb 2023
The Indian Ministry of Defense announced the maiden landing of an LCA Navy and MIG-29K fighters aboard the Indian Navy's new aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Indian Navy Commissions 5th Scorpene Submarine INS Vagir

Indian Navy Commissions 5th Scorpene Submarine INS Vagir

Xavier Vavasseur 23 Jan 2023
The Indian Navy today commissioned INS Vagir, its fifth Scorpene type submarine (Kalvari-class)...
France and India Kick Off VARUNA 2023 Naval Exercise

France and India Kick Off VARUNA 2023 Naval Exercise

Naval News Staff 17 Jan 2023
The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France – Exercise VARUNA commenced on the Western Seaboard today, 16 Jan 2023.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved