NEW DELHI: India had deployed the Navy’s Poseidon-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft , which are packed with weapons and sensors for anti-submarine warfare aircraft, to keep tabs on Chinese troops during the 73-day troops face-off at Doklam near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction in 2017.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Monday confirmed the use of the naval aircraft, while stressing the need for bringing in tri-service synergy and integration of assets of the Army, Navy and IAF in dealing with national security challenges.

“The P-8I aircraft of Indian Navy was deployed in Doklam (during the face-off),” said Gen Rawat , adding that he was surprised to find out the robust reconnaissance capabilities of the plane.

The P-8Is were also deployed to keep an eye on movement of Pakistani troops after the Pulwama terror attack last year.

