Boeing Sells 8 Patrol Aircraft to India

In the largest contract between India and a U.S. company the nation purchased eight P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing. The Times of India reports that the deal is worth over $2 billion. The P-8 is a Boeing 737 based aircraft that will replace the P-3 in U.S. service. India hopes to receive the first aircraft in 2012. India has traditionally purchased Russian based equipment and has aggressively developed its own internal weapons industry. Lately, though, in order to get newer, better technology it has been turning to America and Europe for more advanced systems. The country purchased 8 C-130J aircraft last year from Lockheed in the previous largest deal with an American company. India is also buying an airborne surveillance system from Israel. Issues with Boeing relative to technology transfer and end use need to be worked out as the U.S. law severely limits and restricts the transfer of modern technology developed for the U.S. military.