NEW DELHI - INDIA has signed a US$2.1 billion (S$3 billion) with US aerospace giant Boeing to buy maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian navy, officials told AFP on Monday.

The agreement to buy eight P-81 long-range reconnaissance aircraft marks India's biggest military aircraft deal with the United States, defence ministry officials said. The contract was signed on January 1 in New Delhi.

"The deal is finally through and we will receive the first P-81 in 2013 while the remaining seven will be procured in a phased manner over the next three or four years," a senior official said on condition he not be named.

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