By IANS,
New Delhi : Clearing the last hurdle in acquisition of the Boeing’s P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, the Cabinet Committee on Security has given a go ahead to sign a technical assistance agreement with the company, an official said Friday.
India inked its largest defence deal with the US, valued at $2.1 billion, to buy eight P-8I patrol aircraft in the beginning of this year.
“The CCS has given its nod to sign the technical assistance agreement. Though it is a formality, we have to sign it as US laws require a separate agreement for company to provide assistance since the delivery of first plane to the last one,” said an Indian Navy official, requesting anonymity.
According to the official, this was the last hurdle in the deal. But it would not delay the delivery of the planes.
The Indian Navy was the first international customer for the P-8I, a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. These aircraft would replace Indian Navy’s aging Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprops.
Boeing will deliver the first P-8I to India by 2013 and the remaining seven by 2015.