The recent approval by the US State Department for the sale of six P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India marks a significant development in their defence ties. With encrypted systems installed as part of the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) between the two nations, these advanced aircraft will bring far-reaching impacts to India’s defence strategy.
P-8I Aircraft: Features and Relevance to Indian Defence
The P-8I is a long-range maritime reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft. This variant of the P-8A Poseidon, developed by Boeing as a replacement for the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet, offers a blend of high speed (907 kmph) and long operating range (over 1,200 nautical miles). Equipped with this aircraft, India could detect and neutralise threats far from its shores. Notably, the Indian Navy was the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft in 2009.
US-India Defence Ties: A Growing Partnership
The proposed P-8I aircraft sale deepens the strategic relationship between the US and India. For the US, India is an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region. Their defence trade has grown from nearly nothing in 2008 to USD 20 billion in 2020, thanks to major policy upgrades. The US granting India the same access to defence technology as NATO allies and Australia, Japan, and South Korea under Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA) in 2018 exemplifies this growth.
The COMCASA Agreement: Facilitating Military Interoperability
The COMCASA agreement provides a legal framework for transferring communication security equipment from the US to India, which promotes interoperability between their armed forces. As one of the four foundational agreements the US signs with allies for military interoperability and high-end technology sales, COMCASA is an India-specific version of the Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA).
Four Foundational Agreements between the US and its Partners
The four foundational agreements include GSOMIA (signed in 2002) that allows sharing of intelligence; LEMOA (signed in 2016) that permits access to each other’s military facilities for refueling and replenishment; CISMOA, the basis of COMCASA, signed by India in 2018; and BECA (signed in 2020), which enables sharing geospatial and satellite data between the Indian and US militaries.
Defence Acquisition Council: Key Role in Defence Decisions
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest decision-making body in India’s Defence Ministry, approved the procurement of the P-8I aircraft. Responsible for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC is chaired by India’s Defence Minister. The council was formed following recommendations on reforming the national security system post-Kargil War in 1999.