"The request for proposals (RFPs) will be issued any time now. The Director General for Acquisition at the Ministry of Defence has already approved the RFP," official sources said.
The Navy plans to acquire six MRMR aircraft initially to replacement its Islanders (BN-21A) from Britten Norman that were deployed for coastal surveillance for many decades. Future needs for the MRMR aircraft will arise when the Navy's fleet of Dornier-228 aircraft is phased out.
The MRMR aircraft will be mainly used in reconnaissance role to strengthen the Navy's intelligence and surveillance capablities. The induction will be done in a phased manner after the order is executed in one or two years, sources said.
Most of Indian Navy's Islanders were phased out some years ago. Some were given to Myanmar for its coastal surveillance.
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At present, the Navy operates about 12 of them but they are on the verge of being phased out. In fact, the Indian Coast Guard also requires six MRMR aircraft. Coast Guard sources say their requirement will be met through a separate RFP.