Canada orders 14 Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft
The Canadian government decided that the P-8A Poseidon was its only option for maritime patrol. (Photo: Boeing)
Canada will purchase 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft to replace its ageing CP-140 Aurora fleet, joining Australia, New Zealand, US and UK as an operator of the aircraft type.
Canada has finalised a government-to-government agreement for 14 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft with an option for a further two aircraft after the county’s government ruled out other options to fulfil maritime patrol and other roles.
The P-8A will replace Canada’s current maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), the CP-140 Aurora, an aircraft which has been in service for more than four decades. The CP-140 Aurora was deemed difficult to maintain and inadequate, and will be removed from service in 2030.
The estimated investment for the project was CA$10.4 billion (US$7.7 billion) which includes up to CA$8 billion for the P-8A, associated equipment, training devices and sustainment set-up. The balance will cover additional investments in simulators, infrastructure and weapons.
Related Articles
Boeing hopes for third time lucky in Canada with CMMA bid
Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet
US greenlights prospective sale of P-8A Poseidon to Canada
The first P-8A should be delivered in 2026, and with an average of one aircraft delivered per month, all of the aircraft could be delivered as early as fall 2027 with full operational capability by 2033.
Canada joins its Five Eyes allies the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand as an operator. The P-8A aircraft will be based at 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia and 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia.
A key operational scenario for the aircraft will be patrolling the country’s maritime approaches, as well as the Arctic. They will also be tasked with identifying, detecting, tracking and potentially engaging advanced surface and sub-surface threats, as well as meet the country’s NATO, NORAD and other obligations.
Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits policy, including the Value Proposition, applies to the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project. This requires that Boeing provide business activities and make investments to the Canadian economy equal to the value of its activities related to the Foreign Military Sale.
The Team Poseidon partnership consists of a number of Canada-based aerospace companies including CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace & Defence, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada and Raytheon Canada.
Bombardier was looking to offer its Global 6500 aircraft as a replacement for the CP-140 Aurora but a decision on the P-8A was made at the Request for Information stage without a competition. The company announced earlier this week that it would market its MPA offering as an export product.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth]()
The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth
Total annual drone spending has increased nearly sixfold since the start of the decade, from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $16.3 billion in 2028, with Europe leading the rise.
-
![July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough]()
July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
-
![July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop]()
July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop
The biannual Farnborough International Airshow 2026 was the backdrop in July for scores of deals, partnerships and announcements, including developments in the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s $486 million trainer aircraft requirement.
-
![FIA 2026: Bell highlights MOSA-driven growth path for MV-75 Cheyenne]()
FIA 2026: Bell highlights MOSA-driven growth path for MV-75 Cheyenne
Bell Flight’s modular open-systems approach for the US Army’s MV-75 Cheyenne could open doors for international allies and suppliers once locked out by closed rotorcraft architectures.
-
![Maximise survivability with advanced electronic warfare (video)]()
Maximise survivability with advanced electronic warfare (video)
BAE Systems’ all-digital EW delivers 360-degree threat awareness in contested environments, boosts survivability, and cuts lifecycle costs.
