India inked defense deal worth USD 2.1 billion with United States to buy eight Boeing P-8 Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) aircrafts for its Navy. It is the biggest ever defense deal signed by both countries which would help to strengthen mutual strategic ties in the areas of military and civil co-operation.

The deal was signed between Indian Defense Ministry's Joint Secretary, Preeti Sudan and Vice-president of Boeing integrated defense systems, Vivek Lall. It may be recalled that the Cabinet Committee on Security had already approved the deal on December 27.

The P-8 is a tailored version the P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft developed for Indian Navy. It would help to increase maritime patrolling capabilities of Indian Navy. It is also capable to carry weapons like torpedoes, depth bombs and anti-ship missiles to save country's waters security. The first P-81 is expected to add in country's navy fleet by 2012-end or early-2013.

Meanwhile India expressed reservations on the decision of US administration to sell more P-3C Orions, armed with Harpoon missiles, to Pakistan.