The Indian Navy showcased its power with the P-8I anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance aircraft from naval air base INS Rajali on September 28. The P-8I is known as the game-changer aircraft for the Indian Navy as it has played a key role in carrying out surveillance in multiple areas of Indian interest from the high-altitude areas in the Ladakh sector, revealing the level of Chinese build-up along the Sikkim-Bhutan sector during the Doklam crisis and frequent surveillance of foreign warships and research vessels all along the Indian Ocean Region. The aircraft is also known as the Guardian of the Indian Ocean Region, as it has flown more than 44,000 hours in the last 10 years to carry out surveillance over the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Navy operates 12 of these planes, with plans to acquire six more in the near future from the US.The P8I Aircraft plays an important role in being the eyes and ears of the Indian Navy, carries out critical maritime operations, and provides India’s maritime officers with a significant edge in the strategically important Indian-Ocean region. The aircraft carries out operations ranging from military diplomatic and constabulary to benign roads of the Indian Navy, said Commander Jishnu Madhavan."There is no possibility that any ship or a submarine would pass through the Indian ocean region without 312 Squadron... not knowing about it," said Captain Ajitendra Kant Singh, Commanding Officer of INS 312 Squadron at INS Rajali Naval Air Base.