Indian P-8I Neptune visits Darwin

India’s Navy deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Darwin from 11 to 15 April to conduct coordinated exercises with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

CAPTION: An Indian Navy P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft lands at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca. 

This is the first time an Indian Navy P-8I aircraft has deployed to Australia outside of a routine military exercise and reflects the strength of the India-Australia defence and security partnership.

Acting Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Meredith said this activity was a landmark opportunity for India and Australia to practise coordinated maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and to build interoperability.

“Coordinated activities like these are key to enhancing Australia’s maritime capabilities and building maritime domain awareness,” Air Vice-Marshal Meredith said.

“This activity reflects the deepening trust between India and Australia’s defence forces and our enduring commitment to work together on common security interests.

“Our defence relationship with India is at a historic peak, with activities between us quadrupling since 2014.

“We are doing more together to enhance maritime information sharing and maritime domain awareness and this activity took our practical cooperation to the next level.”

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