Overview
- The RAAF took delivery of the 14th P‑8A Poseidon on 27 May 2026, concluding a programme that began with an eight‑aircraft order in 2014 and two additions approved in December 2020.
- All 14 aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh and operated by No. 11, No. 12 and No. 292 Squadrons to provide persistent maritime patrol and surveillance.
- The P‑8A is a militarised Boeing 737‑800 fitted with a weapons bay, hard points for missiles and torpedoes, and a sonobuoy system that can carry up to 129 sonobuoys for anti‑submarine operations.
- Sustainment work is centred at the new Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at Edinburgh and is supported by Boeing Defence Australia under long‑term contracts, with plans to apply Increment Three Block Two upgrades aligned with allied upgrade activity.
- Operational deployments are continuing, including No. 12 Squadron detachments to the Philippines for missions into the South China Sea and Philippine Sea, which the RAAF says will raise availability, resilience and regional maritime awareness.