The Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Boeing for the delivery of four additional maritime patrol aircraft P-8I Neptune. The value of the transaction is approximately $1 billion. That reported the online edition IHS Jane’s.

The four machines are negotiated directly with Boeing and will pass the program FMS. In the same way in 2009 were contracted other eight P-8I. Then the deal was worth $ 2.1 billion аnd included an option for the four aircraft ordered now. All eight P-8 were delivered between 2012 and 2015.

The first of the newly contracted aircraft is expected in mid-2019, and the entire transaction will be completed within 12-14 months.

The Indian version of the airplane is based on version P-8A for the US Navy but has an additional radar Telephonics APS-143C(V)3 in the rear and a magnetometer tail. P-8I can use missiles AGM-84L Harpoon Block II, Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes, and antisubmarine bombs Mk 82.

Due to lack of some interstate agreements Indian P-8I do not have a system of Radio Electronic Combat and encrypted communication system.