In Pictures: US Navy Submarine-Hunting Aircraft Lands At Port Blair In Andaman And Nicobar Islands Amid Tensions With China
Last month, a maritime surveillance aircraft of the US Navy landed at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for refueling.
P8 submarine-hunting aircraft made a stop at the strategically located island chain under an agreement signed by India and the US in 2016.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) between India and the United States gives both countries access to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refueling and replenishment.
Under the same agreement, Indian Navy warship INS Talwar (lead ship of the Talwar-class frigates) undertook refueling with US Navy fleet tanker USNS Yukon on 14 September in the northern Arabian Sea.
India has signed similar logistics exchange agreements with Australia, Japan and France. While Australia and Japan are part of the Quad grouping, France is a close strategic ally with multiple bases in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy also operates Boeing-made P8 submarine-hunting aircraft.
India currently has at least 8 P8s. In 2016, the Indian Navy placed a $1.1 billion follow-on order for four more P8 aircraft. In 2019, the government approved the procurement of ten more P8 aircraft for the Navy.