Defence has signed a four-year contract with Boeing Defence Australia covering sustainment and support of the RAAF’s forthcoming Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft fleet.
“Importantly Australian defence industry involvement in the sustainment of this aircraft will provide regional support for the global P-8A fleet and has the potential to improve opportunities for Australian defence industry participation in future support activities,” Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said in a statement on Monday announcing the contract.
“This will showcase Australian defence industry capabilities to the world to ensure they have every opportunity to get involved in the longer term global P-8A support program.”
The Minister’s statement said the four-year deal would support “35 jobs in South Australia”.
Fifteen P-8As are set to replace the RAAF’s AP-3C Orion fleet, together with the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system. They will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, north of Adelaide.
The first RAAF P-8A was formally revealed in a ceremony at Boeing Field, Seattle late last month. It is due to arrive in Australia mid next month.
