Boeing Sees Greater Global Demand For P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Farnborough. Boeing says it sees growing global demand for its P-8A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), especially from Asian and Middle Eastern countries, despite competition from cheaper alternatives such as the Saab Swordfish and modified turboprop airliners. Lowering of Poseidon’s cost and adding an additional crew workstation has helped sustain/kindled interest of the current/ potential buyers.

- Jimmy Bhatia

For example, in early July, the royal New Zealand Air Force agreed to buy four of the 737-800-derived MPAs for $1.6 billion, while in June, South Korea purchased four P-8A Poseidons for $1.7 billion. India has already acquired eight numbers P-8I (Neptune – Indian version) and has ordered four more aircraft, to be delivered by 2020. In fact Indian Navy is so gung-ho about the capabilities and performance of the aircraft, it wants to add another 12 P8-Is to its inventory to meet the challenges of its ever-widening arc of maritime responsibilities.

In addition, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has already received two poseidons out of a total order for 12 aircraft. Norway is another country with an order of five aircraft to be delivered 2022 onwards. Also, nine P-8s have been ordered by the Royal Air Force (RAF).