Boeing to begin manufacturing Canadian and German P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
There are 200 P-8s currently in service or on contract across nine countries. (Photo: Boeing)
The Boeing-made P-8 Poseidon MPAs will replace outdated CP-140 Aurora planes in Canada and P-3C Orion aircraft in Germany.
Boeing has received a US$3.4 billion contract to begin manufacturing 14 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission MPA for the Royal Canadian Air Force and three additional aircraft for the German Navy.
Canada finalised the agreement for the 14 P-8As at the end of last year, with an option for a further two aircraft down the line. Once ready to enter service, the new MPAs will replace Canada’s CP-140 Aurora fleet, an aircraft which has been in service for more than four decades. The CP-140 Aurora was deemed inadequate and difficult to maintain, and will be removed from service in 2030.
Germany, for its part, decided to purchase three more Boeing-made MPAs last November, bringing the total fleet to eight. The Poseidon will take over submarine hunting and maritime reconnaissance from the P-3C Orion from the end of 2024, but the purchase has still been considered an interim solution. The mission requirements and capabilities were officially set to be fulfilled by the Franco-German project Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) – an effort that has received little assurance recently.
Last year, Boeing and CAE signed teaming agreements to expand multi-mission platform collaboration in Canada, Germany and Norway. These agreements will set to use the complementary capabilities of each company to provide management, technical and cost-effective training solutions for the P-8A Poseidon programme, Boeing said.
There are 200 P-8s currently in service or on contract across nine countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Norway, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the UK and the US.
Conceived as a replacement for the P-3 Orion, development of the P-8 began in 2004, with its maiden flight in April 2009. The aircraft shares 86% commonality with the 737NG, the civilian variant the P-8 is based upon.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Multi-Mission Aircraft (Canada - Option)
Multi-Mission Aircraft (1-14) [Canada]
Additional P-8 Poseidon (Germany)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US]()
Australian Army aviation veers heavily towards the US
Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk and Boeing’s AH-46 Apache will soon form the bedrock of the Australian Army’s rotorcraft capabilities, as the army awaits further delivery of both types.
-
![Lockheed Martin “bullish” on future of its F-16 programme]()
Lockheed Martin “bullish” on future of its F-16 programme
The company foresees demand for around 300 Block 70/72 F-16s from customers across the globe and is targeting around a 23 to 26 aircraft delivery total for 2025.
-
![Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail]()
Boeing secures $569 million contract to support Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail
The fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is based at RAAF Base Williamtown and will reportedly support up to 170 jobs in the region.
-
![Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding]()
Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding
Since July 2024, the UK Government has provided more than £5.26 billion in support to Ukraine, including £3 billion in annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for defence spending. The latest deal will see Anduril supply Altius-600M and Altius-700M loitering munitions.
