Boeing’s second P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy performed its initial flight on July 12th, a step forward in the testing program for the aircraft.

The aircraft, a derivative of the Boeing 737-800, is expected to be delivered in mid-2013.

The Indian government ordered eight P-8I aircraft in 2009 in an order valued at $2.1 billion. The aircraft is specially customized for the Indian Navy, and will greatly boost the anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities of the Navy.

The P-8I will replace the ageing Tupolev TU-142Ms which the Indian Navy currently operates. Ilyushin IL-38SDs and Dornier aircraft are also used for surveillance operations by the Navy.

2 Boeing P-8Is facing each other. Source: Boeing