New Delhi: For the first time, the Indian Navy has deployed its long range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I at Hawaii for participating in the Rim of Pacific Multinational Naval exercise (RIMPAC-18).

It is for the first time ever that an Indian naval aircraft has traversed so far east into the Pacific. 

For the first time, the Indian naval aircraft crossed the International Date Line, undertaking the longest ferry of nearly 3300 nautical miles from Guam to Hawaii, the Indian Navy said.

The aircraft will form part of the largest naval exercise which has 26 nations participating in this year’s edition and will undertake Tactical exercises including Anti Submarine Warfare and Maritime Reconnaissance missions along with participating foreign Naval ships, submarines and aircraft to hone the interoperability skills of the Indian Navy. 

During the exercise, IN P8I will be operating from Joint Airbase Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii.

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