Article Posted on : - May 10, 2022

The P-8I maritime patrol aircraft of Indian Navy. (File photo)

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Navy's P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft arrived on Monday at the La Reunion Island in the southern Indian Ocean on a five-day mission to undertake coordinated surveillance with French warships in the region.

The Indian and French navies have been regularly undertaking coordinated operations.

"During the deployment scheduled from May 9 to 13, the P-8I aircraft will engage with French warships operating in the region and undertake coordinated surveillance missions in the area to enhance maritime safety and security in the Southern Indian Ocean, including the Mozambique Channel," an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

He said the P8 aircraft had previously operated from La Reunion in March 2020.

The aircraft, with its superior maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and operational readiness, has proven to be an important asset to the Navy.

The Indian Navy was the first international customer of the P-8 aircraft.

The aircraft is also operated by the US Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.