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P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft

P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Australia currently operates a fleet of 12 P-8A aircraft, with an additional two aircraft on order, which are operated by No. 11 and No. 292 Squadrons at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The P-8A Poseidon has deployed on a vast number of operations and exercises since it first arrived in 2016, ratifying its high capability to generate effects in its primary roles, including:

  • Anti-submarine warfare
  • Anti-surface warfare
  • Search and rescue
  • Maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
  • Overland intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

Based on the commercial design of Boeing’s 737-800, the P-8A is built specifically as a military aircraft and has been substantially modified to include an internal fuel capacity of almost 34 tonnes, allowing the P-8A to conduct low-level anti-submarine warfare operations more than 2,000 kilometres from base.

The P-8A has been substantially modified to include a weapons bay, under wing, and under fuselage hard points for weapons and increased strengthening for low level (down to 200 feet) operations and high-angle turns.

The P-8A is capable of air-to-air refuelling with the KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft.

LATEST COVERAGE

Boeing secures $139.5m contract to upgrade RAAF Poseidons
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has announced a AU$139.5 million contract with Boeing Defence Australia to upgrade the software, systems, and sensors of the Royal...
April 15 2024
Australia to acquire fourth MQ-4C Triton and Poseidon upgrades
The Australian government has announced plans to purchase an additional MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft and upgrades for P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to...
September 19 2023
Aussie Poseidons, Wedgetails get a local paint job
Australia’s fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft are set to benefit from a local paint...
July 19 2023
Canada requests 16 P-8 aircraft in US$5.9bn deal
The Canadian government will acquire 16 P-8A patrol aircraft for around US$5.9 billion in a possible foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
June 28 2023
NZDF trials beach landing equipment and maritime aircraft in Fiji
The New Zealand Defence Force has begun testing new beach landing equipment and P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Fiji.
April 12 2023
Industry support as RNZAF develops Poseidon training courses
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is developing P-8A Poseidon training courses under a new partnership with Beca, Copernicus Technology, Aquila Learning, and Catalyst Cloud.
March 28 2023
RAAF deploys patrol aircraft to keep tabs on North Korea
The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft on airborne surveillance around North Korea.
February 17 2023
Half-century of service ends for Orion aircraft
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has officially retired their fleet of six P-3K2 Orion with a formation flight after more than 55 years of service.
January 27 2023