Newest P-8A joins RAAF fleet
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) newest P-8A Poseidon has been welcomed into the fleet at a ceremony in Seattle, US.
The aircraft is now undergoing its verification and validation flying in the US and will join the rest of the fleet in Australia, where it will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia
Ten of the twelve aircraft are already operating in Edinburgh, with the remaining two aircraft expected to be in Australia by January 2020.
The P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft fleet is being introduced by the RAAF for anti-submarine warfare, maritime and overland ISR missions, and support for search and rescue operations.
Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, said: ‘The arrival of the latest aircraft provides the government with enhanced flexibility to support multiple operations and will play an important role in maintaining border security.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship]()
US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
-
![RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser]()
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
