14 November 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of logistics support for two leased P-3C aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $133 million.

The two leased P-3 aircraft will replace two existing Indian Navy patrol aircraft, Soviet built IL-38 May aircraft, which are quickly reaching the end of their fatigue and operational service life.

The P-3 is a submarine hunter that has been in service for over 35 years. It can be outfitted with a variety of sophisticated detection equipment. Infrared and long-range electro-optical cameras plus special imaging radar allow it to monitor activity from a comfortable distance. It can stay aloft for upto 16 hours, and its four powerful Allison T56-A-14 engines can fly at almost any altitude. And like all good hunters, the P-3 has no problem carrying weapons.

The timing of the purchase may well signal to the US that India is in right earnest as far as procuring US weapon system goes. The US is due to decide early next week whether to offer the Super Hornet's top-secret AN/APG-79 AESA radar to India. There has been some skepticism here on whether India is serious about purchasing US weapon systems.

The lease of P-3 Orions, instead of their outright purchase, could also be an indication that the deal is a stop gap measure and the Indian Navy's real interest is in acquisition of 737-based P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft, which is due to enter service around 2012-2014. The P-8A MMA is capable of operating with long range UAVs like the Herons that India is procuring from Israel.