Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet
The Letter of Request does not equate to a commitment from Ottawa. (Photo: USN)
Canada has submitted a request to purchase P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft to replace CP-140 Auroras but a final decision has not yet been made.
The Canadian government has submitted a LOR through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme to purchase up to 16 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft.
The new aircraft would replace the ageing fleet of CP-140 Auroras that were procured from 1980 onwards and are set to require in 2030.
Following an RFI released in February 2022 and engagement with industry and allies, Canada found the P-8A to be the only available aircraft that meets all of the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) operational requirements the RCAF needs to fulfil. These tasks include ASW and C4ISR.
In the RFI the government
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans]()
April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans
Countries releasing their spending budgets over the past month have placed an emphasis on advancing next-generation crewed programmes as well as upgrades and expansion plans for air combat and aerial refuelling capabilities.
-
![What opportunities remain for European airborne early warning requirements?]()
What opportunities remain for European airborne early warning requirements?
With a pending NATO AWACS replacement on the horizon, the demand and market opportunities for airborne early warning aircraft remain strong as countries look to bolster their capabilities, with industry eyeing gaps in the market.
-
![NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)]()
NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)
Developed in response to NATO’s needs, NHIndustries’ NH90 remains a cornerstone of European and Middle Eastern fleets – with upgrades planned to extend and improve the capabilities of the versatile and capable platform.
-
![April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones]()
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.
