MPA options pitch up at RIAT
As final preparations for the Royal International Air Tattoo are made, the aerospace industry’s heavy hitters are lining up with MPA and MSA alternatives to meet the expected UK requirement ahead of the SDSR later this year.
Confirmed as attending are the Boeing P-8, the P-1 (pictured, photo credit RIAT) from Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Textron AirLand’s Scorpion multi-role jet, and Airbus Military’s C-295. The UK has been without a functioning MPA since the cancellation of the Nimrod MR4 programme in 2010.
Boeing’s P8 Poseidon, derived from the commercial 737 airliner, has long been touted as a potential option
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Partnerships will be critical for future projects at Latin American shipyards
Multiple Latin American navies are modernising their fleets by prioritising domestically manufactured surface vessels and even submarines via international partnerships.
-
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.