RAAF receives latest P-8A Poseidon
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has received its newest P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 9 April.
The aircraft will be deployed for a wide range of operations including anti-submarine warfare; maritime and overland ISR; border security; and SAR missions.
The aircraft has been fitted with a raft of diagnostic equipment to allow the RAAF to collect data to analyse the life of the aircraft and identify future sustainment plans.
Linda Reynolds, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, said: ‘These aircraft will be based and sustained at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, creating over 120 jobs by next year. The project is part of a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance precinct being developed at the Super Base, which will support and create highly skilled jobs in South Australia for decades to come.’
The aircraft is now undergoing its verification and validation flying in the US, and will join the rest of the fleet in Australia, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, in mid-June 2019.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Malta takes delivery of new flagship
At a ceremony in Valetta, Italy's Cantiere Navale Vittoria delivered the new flagship of the Maltese armed forces.
-
Textron nets contract to develop mine countermeasure system that doesn't need towing
Removing the need to tow an array would allow mine countermeasure USVs to access previously hard-to-reach areas.
-
Japan commissions its second Taigei-class submarine
Japan has inducted its second Taigei-class submarine, amidst plans to boost counterstrike capabilities with new, longer-range missiles.
-
Second Brazilian Riachuelo-class submarine conducts pre-service testing
The second of four PROSUB conventional attack submarines has completed diving trials ahead of service entry with the Brazilian Navy later this year.
-
Argentina turns to local industry in naval modernisation push
Local companies will build a new landing ship and floating dock, modernise in-service corvettes and develop a naval surveillance radar.
-
The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts
In early March, the Biden administration submitted a proposal to Congress that would see the US DoD funded to the tune of $842 billion, around a quarter of which will go to the US Navy.