USN contracts for first 4 Australian P-8A Poseidons

The US Navy has signed the first advanced acquisition contract for four P-8A Poseidon aircraft, destined for the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian government announced the purchase of 8 of the aircraft with an option for four more in February. The first delivery will take place in 2017. The aircraft will replace the AP-3C Orions in Australian service.

The purchase will take place under the US Foreign Military Sales program. They will be ordered through the US Navy, but paid for by the Australian government. The 8 firm orders will cost $3.7B USD. A decision on the four options will take place after the Defense White Paper is released on 2015.

The US Navy has agreed an advanced acquisition contract for the first four of up to 12 Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft being bought by Australia, with delivery expected from 2017.

The Australian government approved the Aus$4 billion ($3.7 billion) acquisition of eight of the 737-derived aircraft – plus options for four more – in February, allowing Boeing to place lead time orders for the first four aircraft. They are being purchased from the US government under the Foreign Military Sales program.

The aircraft will replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orions, and a decision on the four options is expected to be made once a government white paper is released in 2015. All eight agreed aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2018 and fully operational by 2021.

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a reply to: Zaphod58

The aus gov also announced earlier this year that it intends to purchase the unmanned NG MQ-4C Tritons as part of its maritime surveillance planes. IMO making the ADF a very modern and well equipped force in this area.

what do you think of this combo Zaph, good investment or should we have invested in something else?

a reply to: lambchop

It's a good investment, because it matches the US plan perfectly. That gives them flexibility if they have a problem with their aircraft. A US aircraft can step right in, or vice versa.