RAAF P-8A flies for Operation Gateway
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon has completed its first overseas deployment to Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth as part of Operation Gateway, the RAAF announced on 7 June.
The aircraft was deployed as part of work to reach Initial Operating Capability for the aircraft and its systems over the next 12 months.
This deployment to RMAF Butterworth marks the first time an RAAF P-8A Poseidon has operated from an overseas environment since the first aircraft arrived in November 2016.
Operation Gateway is Australia's enduring contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia, providing maritime surveillance in the region. During the deployment, the P-8A carried out patrols in the Northern Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Each mission used the Poseidon’s advanced sensor suite and data connectivity to conduct routine maritime surveillance on merchant and naval shipping along some of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
The Poseidon’s predecessor, the AP-3C Orion, has operated from RMAF Butterworth for many decades as part of Operation Gateway. Poseidon will take over this surveillance role in 2018.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process]()
How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process
The procurement of the future USN Golden Fleet is planned to be less bureaucratic than previous strategies, involving AI-enabled designs and scheduling tools to increase productivity and avoid delays.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
-
![Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver]()
Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
-
![Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms]()
Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms
Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.
-
![Could Asia and the Middle East offer growth opportunities for Italy’s Fincantieri?]()
Could Asia and the Middle East offer growth opportunities for Italy’s Fincantieri?
Export campaigns for Fincantieri’s submarines and frigates are central to the company’s ambitions as billions of dollars in unawarded contracts come into focus.
