India has reasons to watch as the US Navy deploys P-8 Poseidon aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz

When it comes to surveillance, reconnaissance, and long-range anti-submarine capabilities, there are not many equals to the Boeing P-8 Poseidon. The US Navy's multi-role aircraft is often rated as the most capable multi-mission aircraft deployed around the world. According to data from Boeing, there are more than 170 P-8 Poseidon aircraft in service, with over 700,000 flight hours completed.

The aircraft is in the news as the US Navy surveillance airplane was reportedly found in the skies above Iran's Bandar Abbas port and Qeshm Island in the critical Strait of Hormuz. Flightradar24 tracked two P-8As—based on the Boeing 737—having taken off for the Strait and the Gulf in the early hours of Sunday from the Sheikh Isa Air Base, Gulf News said in a report.

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In the event of an escalation, Tehran is almost certain to mine or block the Strait of Hormuz using its submarine fleet. Iran is estimated to operate around 30 submarines capable of shallow-water operations in the Gulf and Hormuz—a major global trade route. P-8 aircraft can identify submarines or small boats in the region, as they are known to carry out anti-submarine operations effectively.

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The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; maritime domain awareness; and search and rescue operations. The US Navy began P-8A operations in 2013, and the platform has since replaced the P-3C Orion in the maritime patrol role. Interestingly, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently cleared the procurement of six additional Poseidon 8I (P-8I) aircraft for the Indian Navy. This is to ensure they are capable of keeping vigil across vast regions of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and other key checkpoints in light of threats posed by Chinese PLAN submarines. Codenamed "Neptune", the Indian Navy currently operates a fleet of 12 Boeing P-8I Poseidons.

FULL STORY | Why the Indian Navy needs Boeing Poseidon 8I aircraft to keep Chinese submarines in check?

Here are five things about the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon aircraft that defence and military enthusiasts would love to know:

1. The aircraft has a wingspan of 37.64 metres, a length of 39.50 metres, and stands 12.83 metres tall. It is powered by two CFM-56-7BE engines, each producing 27,300 pounds of thrust. Its range is 1,200 nautical miles, with an additional four hours of loiter time on station. It is compatible with 129A-size sonobuoys, Harpoon missiles, and MK-54 torpedoes, and is also equipped with a survival kit for crew safety. According to the manufacturers, it can reach a maximum speed of 907 km/h and is capable of operating at a ceiling of 12,496 metres.

2. The P-8 comes with an integrated sensor suite that conducts search, detection, classification, tracking, and attack of naval surface targets, utilising ESM and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and delivering Harpoon missiles. Its sensor systems are optimised for combat-ready maritime patrol in detecting, locating, and tracking surface and undersea targets, Boeing said in an official brochure.

3. In 2020, a P-8A attached to the US 7th Fleet reportedly helped to locate a lost fishing vessel near Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This proved the aircraft's capacity to be part of maritime search and rescue operations as well, rather than being a purely military asset. It was also instrumental in monitoring China’s island-building activities in the Spratly Islands.

4. According to Australian government records, the internal fuel capacity of almost 34 tonnes allows the P-8A to conduct low-level anti-submarine warfare operations more than 2,000 kilometres from base. The P-8A is capable of air-to-air refuelling with the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft.

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5. Derived from the Boeing 737-800ERX commercial airframe and modified for military operations, a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in 2024 to Florida-based L3Harris Technologies resulted in overhauled P-8A Poseidons. According to available information, the contract covers support for a total of 139 P-8A aircraft and includes maintenance actions such as structural refurbishment, avionics upgrades, systems testing, and component overhauls. The programme is part of the U.S. Navy’s long-term strategy to sustain operational availability.