General Dynamics begins first Portuguese P-3C modernisation
Portugal initially procured six former Royal Australian Air Force P-3s which were replaced by five ex-Royal Netherlands Navy aircraft. (Photo: US DoD)
The next installation of the Airborne Data Management System on Portuguese P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft is set to bolster communication and mission electronics, aligning with the nation’s NATO mission commitments.
General Dynamics (GD) Mission Systems – Canada has announced the induction of the first of five P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) from the Portuguese Air Force for an upgrade.
The work is being carried out in partnership with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) at IMP Aerospace & Defence facilities in Halifax.
GD said it will use its Airborne Data Management System to modify the communications and mission electronics of the P-3C. The solution has been installed on more than 50 aircraft to date.
Related Articles
Insight: How the P-8 Poseidon has conquered the maritime patrol aircraft market
NATO uncrewed maritime exercise under way off the coast of Portugal
The modifications are said to be drawing from Canada’s investment in the newly modernised CP-140 Block IV, which will allow Portugal to maintain the capabilities required to fulfil NATO missions.
IMP Aerospace will install the new systems and will work together with GD to test the upgrades in early 2024.
‘This modification program is crucial for our P-3C fleet in order to ensure that the platform continues to respond adequately to the current and future operational scenarios,’ said Brigadier General Nogueira, director of the engineering and programs directorate for Portuguese Air Force.
At the end of August 2023, the Portuguese Government authorised its air force to acquire six P-3C CUP Orion from Germany. The contract, worth €45 million ($48 million), includes mid-life upgrade (MLU) sets, spares, support equipment, test benches and simulators. A contract is expected to be signed by early 2024.
Portugal initially procured six former Royal Australian Air Force P-3s, which were replaced by five ex-Royal Netherlands Navy aircraft. They are now being upgraded by GD and IMP Aerospace & Defence.
The aircraft that are expected to be acquired from Germany will also be second-hand platforms purchased from the Netherlands.
The Lockheed Martin-built P-3 Orion MPA has been in service with 21 operators across 17 countries in a variety of standards, designations and configurations, many of which have undergone modernisation or have recently been undergoing upgrades.
Chile’s two P-3As were also upgraded by Canada’s IMP, starting in 2017. Germany, just like Greece, chose to contract Lockheed Martin directly for P-3 modernisation in the same year.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![France earmarks further $11.6 billion for missiles and drones amid rearmament push]()
France earmarks further $11.6 billion for missiles and drones amid rearmament push
The revised funding allocation will see up to 23% of the additional budget put towards stockpiles of munitions, with the country’s GDP spending expected to reach 2.5% by 2030.
-
![UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns]()
UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
-
![Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition]()
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
![March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics]()
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
