P-8I deployed to Seychelles for EEZ surveillance

The Indian Navy has for the first time deployed a P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Seychelles for surveillance over the Exclusive Economic Zone of the archipelago.

The move, which appears to be yet another response to China’s growing maritime assertiveness in Indian Ocean region, follows inking of a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of India and Seychelles.

The Indian Navy has, in the past, undertaken surveillance missions in the Seychellois EEZ twice a year, by deploying its ships.

The last such deployment was undertaken by ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, last October. This is the first time that the P8I aircraft has been deployed to Seychelles, officials said.

The aircraft will undertake surveillance of the EEZ in Seychelles. In addition, the deployment will facilitate professional interaction between the aircrew and the Seychelles People’s Defence Force, according to a pressrelease issued by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.