“Navy’s P-8I Aircraft Maintenance Commences at AIESL Mumbai Facility”
In a major milestone for India’s defense sector, the first-ever indigenous overhaul of the landing gear of a Boeing P-8I aircraft, a key maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare platform of the Indian Navy, has been successfully completed.
This achievement is part of a collaboration between Boeing and the public sector undertaking AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) to provide in-country maintenance and overhaul services for the Indian Navy’s fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft. The maintenance work was carried out at AIESL’s largest DGCA-approved facility in Mumbai, while the uninstallation and installation of the landing gear were completed at INS Rajali, near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
The partnership between Boeing and AIESL, an Air India subsidiary, was formalized in May 2020 with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the maintenance and overhaul of critical components of the P-8I aircraft.
“A beginning has been made. We have been traditionally focused on the maintenance and overhaul of civil aircraft for the last 50 years. Now, we have ventured into defense,” said Sharad Agarwal, CEO of AI Engineering Services Limited.
The successful overhaul marks a significant step toward India’s goal of becoming a regional hub for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. AIESL is now looking to expand its services globally, attracting international customers.
The Boeing P-8I, a multi-role Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMR ASW) aircraft, plays a crucial role in the Indian Navy’s maritime surveillance missions in the Indian Ocean. In addition to India, the P-8I is operated by several other countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, and New Zealand, with orders also placed by South Korea, Germany, and Canada.
Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, emphasized the strategic importance of developing local MRO capabilities, stating, “This partnership with AIESL enhances mission readiness for the Indian Navy by reducing repair turnaround time and aircraft downtime.”
AIESL is also responsible for the maintenance and repair of two custom-made Boeing 777 aircraft used to transport India’s VVIPs, including the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister.
HBL