According to information published by the Indian MoD on January 4, 2022, the Indian Navy's Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa with two aircraft arriving on 30 December 2021.
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Mig 29K formation and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (Picture source: Indian Ministry of Defense)
The aircraft were inducted after the fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials. On arrival, the aircraft was welcomed by a MiG 29K formation.
The Indian Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The second batch of four additional aircraft will be based at Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, to be commissioned at INS Hansa.
The P-8s Indian variant is referred to as P-8I. The aircraft plays a crucial role in being the eyes of the Indian Navy and carrying out critical maritime operations. They provide India's maritime warriors a significant edge in the strategically important Indian Ocean region.
INS Hansa, is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa, India. It is India's biggest naval airbase. The military airbase has a civil enclave, that operates as Dabolim Airport.
