New Delhi: India is set to procure more than a dozen maritime surveillance aircraft from Airbus SE, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 290 billion ($3.5 billion), as part of its strategic initiative to bolster capabilities in the increasingly unsettled Indian Ocean region.
The Defence Ministry's statement highlighted that these medium-range, multi-mission maritime reconnaissance aircraft will enhance "the surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard over the country's vast maritime area."
The decision to enhance India's surveillance aircraft fleet was made during a meeting of the acquisition council led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Indian Navy is slated to receive nine of these aircraft, while the remaining six will be allocated to the Coast Guard, according to unnamed senior officials.
Of the planned acquisition, four C-295 planes will be manufactured in Airbus's European facilities to expedite their availability, with the remaining aircraft being produced in India through the joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems. The same type of aircraft was previously selected by the Indian Air Force in 2021 to replace its outdated transport fleet.
The maritime versions of these aircraft will be tailored for anti-submarine and surface warfare, equipped with a sensor and weapons suite developed by India's Defense Research & Development Organization.
India has actively deployed a dozen warships, an array of unmanned aerial vehicles, and long-range maritime surveillance aircraft in the Arabian Sea for anti-piracy operations. The addition of multi-role, medium-range maritime surveillance aircraft is anticipated to significantly enhance India's operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
In addition to the maritime surveillance aircraft procurement, India's defence ministry has also approved the acquisition of six new refuelling aircraft for the Indian Air Force, further strengthening the nation's overall defence capabilities.