Canada received the green light from the US Department of State for the possible purchase of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft. The publication was made official on the 27th by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The Canadian government will then be able to acquire about 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which are expected to replace the aging Lockheed -140 Aurora patrol planes. The agency also estimated that Canada's purchase value of the new planes is US$5,9 billion, suring the US$3,77 billion that the Canadian government had forecast.
With the entry of the Boeing P-8A, Canada will replace all old aircraft and expand its capacity to carry out missions with more improved technology. Lockheed aircraft have been in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force since 1980.
The Government of Canada assessed that only the Poseidon was able to meet all Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) program capability requirements.
A Boeing had announced in February last year that it would introduce Canada to the full capabilities of the P-8A and would work together to adapt Canadians' requirements for the new long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
“The P-8A Poseidon has demonstrated that it is the world's most capable multi-mission aircraft currently in production and offers a complete solution to Canada's CMMA requirements”, said Tim Flood, director of International Business Development for Europe and the Americas.
Boeing's Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) is a multirole maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sensors and weapons systems for anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions. The plane has an APY-10 radar for high-resolution mapping, an acoustic sensor system, an electro-optical/IR turret and electronic measures (ESM).
Structurally, the aircraft shares several components with the Boeing 737-800, but with specific changes for the use of the aircraft in military service.
The aircraft can also be armed with a system that includes 129 sonobuoy torpedoes to attack underground targets. In addition, the P-8A can be refueled in flight.
Military personnel operating or selecting the P-8 include the US Navy, UK Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Indian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Navy of the Republic of Korea and the German Navy.
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