Canada
registers interest for new fleet of Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
STRIKE & AIR COMBAT
|
Reporter
The
Canadian government’s release stated, that, “The
CP-140 Aurora fleet was originally procured in 1980, and the aircraft is
currently scheduled to retire from service in 2030. Procuring a new fleet is
required to ensure Canada’s military has the equipment it needs to continue
protecting Canadian sovereignty along its coastline.”
A Boeing Defense, Space & Security spokesperson welcomed the
announcement, saying, “The P-8A is a proven multi-mission capability that meets
all requirements and will protect Canada’s oceans and its borders for future
generations. We look forward to working with the US and Canadian governments to
finalise this sale under the Foreign Military Sales process. Together with our
Canadian industry partners ― CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace &
Defence, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada, Raytheon Canada, and
StandardAero ― we are committed to delivering 100 per cent industrial and
technological benefits that will significantly grow Canada’s aerospace and
defense industry.”
This LOR comes following a formal Request for
Information (RFI) released in February 2022 to obtain information from industry
by the Canadian government.
The Canadian government said, “Following engagements with
industry and Canada’s closest allies, the government has determined that the
P-8A Poseidon is the only currently available aircraft that meets all of the CMMA operational
requirements, namely anti-submarine warfare and C4ISR. This platform is a
proven capability that is operated by several of Canada’s defence partners
including all of its Five Eyes allies — the United States, United Kingdom,
Australia, New Zealand — as well as Norway, and South Korea. Germany has also
recently purchased this platform.”
Adding to this, the Canadian
government said, “The issuance of a LOR does
not commit Canada to purchasing the P-8A Poseidon and the project remains in
Options Analysis. The final decision will be based on the capability offered,
availability, pricing and benefits to Canadian industry.”
The
P-8A is built specifically as a military aircraft. It is based on the proven
commercial designs of Boeing’s 737-800 fuselage, but has been substantially
modified to include:
- An internal weapons bay;
- Underwing and under fuselage
hard points for weapons; and
- Increased strengthening for
low level (down to 200 feet) operations and high-angle turns.
The
P-8A aircraft has an extensive communications system including radios and data
links across VHF, UHF, HF, and SATCOM.
These
cutting-edge aircraft conduct a range of tasks including anti-submarine
warfare; maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance;
electronic support; as well as supporting search and rescue missions.
Poseidon is capable of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. It is
also effective for humanitarian and search and rescue missions.
A
derivative of the 737-800 Next Generation, the P-8 combines superior
performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum
interoperability in the future battle space.
The
Australian government has approved the purchase of 12 P-8A Poseidon
aircraft, which will replace the ageing fleet of P-3C Orion aircraft.
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