UK P-8As to cost £250m each
The US has agreed to the foreign military sale of nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft to the UK at a cost of $3.2 billion (£2.24 billion).
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approval means that the UK can acquire the P-8A aircraft along with associated equipment, training, and support, which comes to an estimated £250 million each.
This is despite no modifications being made to the aircraft so they can be refuelled or to suit UK weaponry.
The proposed sale will allow the UK to re-establish its currently unfunded maritime surveillance aircraft capability that was divested when its Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft programme was cancelled.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the potential foreign military sale, and implementation of the proposed sale will require around 64 Boeing personnel to support the programme in the UK.
Other contractors include Martin Baker, General Electric, Arnprior Aerospace, Symmetrics, Terma, Exelis, Northrop Grumman, Pole Zero, Telephonics, Raytheon, Spirit, Rockwell Collins, GC Micro and ViaSat.
The P-8A Poseidon is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It can be used for broad-area maritime and littoral operations. It is derived from the Boeing 737-800 commercial aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones]()
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
![German Navy’s Israeli missile test points to deepening defence-industrial ties]()
German Navy’s Israeli missile test points to deepening defence-industrial ties
The test-firing of an Israel Aerospace Industries LORA ballistic missile from a German vessel highlights the Bundeswehr’s focus on speed to capability as it trials Israel’s operationally proven technology.
-
![Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market]()
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.
-
![Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge]()
Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge
New Zealand’s evaluation of the Mogami and Arrowhead 140 frigate designs reflects a wider push for alliance interoperability, and points to a larger recapitalisation of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet beyond the current programme.
