The Indian Ministry of Defense has suspended negotiations on the purchase of six Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in response to the US imposition of 25 percent import duties on Indian goods from August 7-8, 2025. Washington's measure has become a means of putting pressure on India to stop buying Russian oil and reduce defense purchases from Russia. The contract for the purchase of six P-8I aircraft, approved by the US State Department in 2021, was initially estimated at $2.42 billion, but due to sharp inflation and other factors, the cost increased by about 50% to $3.6 billion by mid-2025.
The suspension of purchases reflects a broader gap in defense cooperation between the countries and a strategic reassessment of bilateral ties in light of trade tensions and soaring prices. Indian officials expressed "shock and disappointment" over tariffs and high cost increases, which played a key role in the decision to freeze the project. The visit of the Indian Defense Minister to Washington, where it was planned to discuss new purchases, was also canceled.
At the same time, India already owns a fleet of 12 such aircraft and had previously completed the delivery of the first batch. In the future, the deal may be renewed if the US offers more competitive prices or eases trade pressure.
The suspension also affected or may affect other defense purchases from the United States, including Stryker armored vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles. Related sources note that India may increase purchases of Russian weapons, including Su-57 fighter jets.
Thus, India's decision is related to trade and political pressure from the United States, a sharp increase in the cost of the contract and the desire to maintain strategic autonomy in choosing suppliers of military equipment.
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