UPA's signs a secret defence deal with US

New Delhi, Jan 5: After the reports regarding the ageing fuel-guzzling Russian Tupolev-142M turboprops currently being operated by the Navy, UPA Government has decided to replace it with eight Boeing P-81 Long-range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR). The UPA Government has signed a defence deal of $2.1 billion contract with US.

The actual deal has taken place on Friday, Jan 1, but the defence ministry is keeping the deal under wraps.

India will get the first P-8I towards end-2012 or early-2013, with the other seven following in a phased manner by 2015-2016. The contract also provides an option for India to order four to eight more such planes.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)