• The RAAF's first P-8A Poseidon. Given Norway's presence in the High North of Scandinavia, a strong Norwegian MPA capability is crucial to maintaining effective NATO surveillance. Credit: Defence
    The RAAF's first P-8A Poseidon. Given Norway's presence in the High North of Scandinavia, a strong Norwegian MPA capability is crucial to maintaining effective NATO surveillance. Credit: Defence
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Norway signs Poseidon contract and more aircraft for Aus, US and UK

6 April 2017
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Norway has formally ordered five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide announced on 29 March in Oslo.

“We have now signed the contract for five new P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. The procurement is underlining Norways allied commitment to spending on defence capabilities vital to both NATO and Norway," she said.

 

“Being close to the Kola Peninsula, it is important that Norway possess modern technology.”

 

A Norwegian Defence Ministry statement noted MPAs have been a crucial part of Norwegian presence in the High North since the beginning of the 1960s and their basic task has been the surveillance of Norwegian and adjacent waters.

“Norway is NATO in the north, and the Norwegian presence is a sign of stability in the region. Being close to the Kola Peninsula, it is important that Norway possess modern technology.

“Both the US Navy and the Royal Air Force will operate the same aircraft and Norway looks forward to close and efficient cooperation in operations, logistics, maintenance and other functions.”

The P-8s will be delivered in 2022 and 23 at a cost of approximately 10 billion Norwegian Krone ($1.5 billion) and will replace six ageing P-3 Orions and three Jet Falcons.

Meanwhile Boeing has announced a contract for a further 17 aircraft for the US Navy, Australia and the UK (11, 4 and 2 respectively). The Australian aircraft will be aircraft 9 through 12 for the RAAF, an increase over the eight originally purchased and flagged in the 2016 Defence White Paper.

The US$2.2 billion agreement also includes options for 32 additional aircraft, as well as money for long-lead parts for future orders. The UK’s first two P-8A aircraft are part of the agreement, with first delivery set for 2019.

Boeing so far has delivered 53 Poseidons to the Navy and two to the Royal Australian Air Force. The RAAF received the first of 15 P-8A Poseidons in November 2016 with IOC for the first eight expected between 2017 and 2020. The Indian Navy also operates the type, known as the P-8I, with eight already in service and a contract for a further four signed in July last year.

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