Boeing wins P-8A Poseidon aircraft order
Boeing has been awarded a $2.2 billion contract to produce at least 17 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the US Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal Air Force, the company announced on 3 April.
The contract, awarded on 30 March, also includes options for 32 P-8A additional aircraft as well as money for long-lead parts for future orders.
The US Navy will receive 11 P-8A aircraft, while Australia will receive four. The UK's first two P-8A jets are part of the agreement, with first delivery scheduled for 2019.
Boeing so far has delivered 53 Poseidons to the US Navy and two to the RAAF.
The four aircraft for Australia are the additional aircraft announced in the Turnbull government's Defence White Paper in 2016, and they take the total for the RAAF to 12 aircraft. The White Paper also forecast that a further three aircraft, for a total of 15, will be acquired early next decade.
A Boeing spokesperson said the 32 additional P-8As in the contract were earmarked for potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, but would not comment on whether two of the number are for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
New Zealand is understood to have requested pricing and availability details for the possible acquisition of two P-8A aircraft. The Poseidon is under consideration for the RNZAF's Future Air Surveillance Capability requirement, which will replace existing Lockheed P-3K2 Orions.
The P-8A is designed for advanced anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The US Navy has deployed multiple squadrons globally since 2013, accumulating over 96,000 flight hours.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs]()
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
![Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027]()
Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027
The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer is a stealth ship originally designed to consist of a fleet of 32 but has been cut back to three. Conceived for a land-attack role, it is now being fitted with a hypersonic missile capability.
-
![How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?]()
How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?
Although both countries still operate Cold War-era platforms, they possess capable nuclear-powered and armed submarines and are investing in the development of new, advanced capabilities.
-
![Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds]()
Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds
Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.
