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
-
The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
-
The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
-
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.