By A Correspondent
New Delhi: In a significant move to rapidly strengthen maritime surveillance and emergency response, the Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire four fixed-wing amphibious aircraft on a four-year wet lease, aiming to plug a long-standing operational gap in the Indian Navy’s reconnaissance, surveillance, and search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities.
The wet lease model, under which the lessor provides not just the aircraft but also trained crew, maintenance, and insurance, will allow the Navy to achieve immediate operational readiness without waiting for infrastructure creation or lengthy pilot training cycles.
Responses to the RFI are to be submitted by March 5, 2026, and only Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or authorised lessors are eligible to apply.
The move comes amid growing maritime security challenges across India’s 7,500-km-long coastline and strategically sensitive island territories such as Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
Threats ranging from terrorism and piracy to smuggling and natural disasters have underscored the need for aircraft capable of operating seamlessly from both open seas and conventional runways.
Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are uniquely suited for such missions. Their ability to take off and land on water enables direct access to remote islands, ships in distress, and disaster-hit coastal areas, significantly reducing response time.
The primary roles envisioned include long-range search and rescue, operational logistics support, special operations, humanitarian assistance, and casualty evacuation. Secondary missions will involve anti-piracy, anti-narcotics operations, and maritime patrol.
According to the RFI, the aircraft must feature a corrosion-resistant design to endure harsh maritime conditions and be equipped with advanced avionics, secure communications, satellite-based navigation, sensors, survival equipment, and visual aids essential for extended SAR missions.
Currently, the Indian Navy does not operate any fixed-wing amphibious aircraft, making this leasing plan a critical interim solution.
India had explored acquiring Japan’s ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft a decade ago, but talks stalled due to high costs and restrictive conditions, including the unviability of a ‘Make in India’ offer from the Japanese firm.
The leasing route now reflects a pragmatic shift, prioritising speed and operational flexibility over capital-intensive procurement.
For island territories prone to cyclones, maritime accidents, and shipwrecks, these aircraft could prove to be game-changers, reinforcing India’s maritime preparedness while buying time for a long-term acquisition strategy.
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