Australia signs $73.9 million deal to participate in P-8A development

Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare have signed a new agreement with the United States Navy to participate in the third P-8A development stage, contributing $73.9 million towards the project.

The signing formalises Australia’s participation in the development of the Increment 3 P-8A Aircraft and marks Australia’s continued commitment to the $5 billion project to acquire a new manned Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The P-8A is a fundamental element of Australia’s future maritime patrol and response strategy in replacing the current AP-3C Orion fleet, due for withdrawal around 2019.  The RAAF currently operates 19 Lockheed AP-3C Orions, with two having been on operational deployment in the Middle East.

The Increment 3 Project Arrangement is the first planned upgrade to the Australian P-8A fleet and aims to provide a range of new upgraded capability to the Increment 2 aircraft, including a networked maritime strike weapon, air-sea rescue kit and enhanced target tracking.

This Project Arrangement represents the first real opportunity for Australia to influence the future capability of the P-8A, as Australia will be involved in the Increment 3 upgrade from the requirements determination phase.