RAAF receives latest P-8A Poseidon
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has received its newest P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 9 April.
The aircraft will be deployed for a wide range of operations including anti-submarine warfare; maritime and overland ISR; border security; and SAR missions.
The aircraft has been fitted with a raft of diagnostic equipment to allow the RAAF to collect data to analyse the life of the aircraft and identify future sustainment plans.
Linda Reynolds, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, said: ‘These aircraft will be based and sustained at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, creating over 120 jobs by next year. The project is part of a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance precinct being developed at the Super Base, which will support and create highly skilled jobs in South Australia for decades to come.’
The aircraft is now undergoing its verification and validation flying in the US, and will join the rest of the fleet in Australia, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, in mid-June 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Rolls Royce Submarines brings jobs to Glasgow for Dreadnought and AUKUS programmes
Rolls Royce opens new Scottish office but the MoD foots the bill.
-
First UK autonomous XL military submarine is put through in-water testing
The BAE Systems Herne XLAUV has hit the water.
-
US Senate approves additional $175 million for Coast Guard’s FY2025 procurement
Extra funds will enable the branch to manage vessel acquisition programmes better.
-
Australia pushes ahead on reinstating heavy landing capability with selection of Damen
Australia has been without a heavy landing capability since the retirement of the last of eight Balikpapan Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels in 2014. Work on new ships is expected to begin in 2026.
-
UK and US marines train to guard nuclear deterrent submarines
The Autumn round of Tartan Eagle training just concluded in Scotland.