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
-
![Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order]()
Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
-
![Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice]()
Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
-
![Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation]()
Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation
Satellite navigation is increasingly critical for global maritime defence, and Low Earth Orbit satellites are rapidly overtaking the traditional and more widely used Medium Earth Orbit option as they are less susceptible to jamming or spoofing.
-
![US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials]()
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
