Abingdonboy
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The IN will recieve their first P-8I by Q2 2013 (given US track record I wouldn't be surprised if we saw before then) with the first test flight of the IN's P-8I already having taken place. The IN could've had it earlier but the high degree of customisation the IN has insisted for the "I" means a lot of testing is going to have to take place before delivery. Currently the IN has firm orders for 12 LRMPA (P-8I) but this order is likely to increase in the future as IN has stated (maybe 30, ,maybe more) but a SEPERATE order for Medium range MPAs is also going to be signed for 9 (option for 10 more) with a "diet" version of the P-8A participating due to the requiem rents in this particular tender however there are other contenders and Boeing may not get the order (in all likelihood they will though).
So by ~2020-2 IN is likely to have a force of (mark my words, once IN starts inducting these they will start ordering more, just how Indian defence procurement works!)~40-50 MPAs (LR/MR) not including the Dorniers which are to be upgraded to NG standard and most liked replaced by the end of the decade. This will be a SIGNIFICANT boost to the maritime patrol capabilities of the IN and make it easily the most powerful such force in the region (intact, possibly only second to US in terms of platforms and capabilities).
So by ~2020-2 IN is likely to have a force of (mark my words, once IN starts inducting these they will start ordering more, just how Indian defence procurement works!)~40-50 MPAs (LR/MR) not including the Dorniers which are to be upgraded to NG standard and most liked replaced by the end of the decade. This will be a SIGNIFICANT boost to the maritime patrol capabilities of the IN and make it easily the most powerful such force in the region (intact, possibly only second to US in terms of platforms and capabilities).