Poised for Poseidon

Government approves P-8 purchase as its first defence acquisition decision

On Friday February 21, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston announced that the government had approved the acquisition of eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2017 with all eight aircraft due by 2021, in order to meet the AP‑3C Orion planned withdrawal date of 2019. Additionally, the government has approved an option for a further four aircraft, “subject to the Defence White Paper review process”.