Boeing is significantly enhancing the long-range reach and tactical potency of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) submarine-hunting fleet, marking a dual milestone with a major aircraft upgrade initiative and the delivery of a new airframe.
The company has inducted the first RAAF P-8A Poseidon into a comprehensive four-year modernization program known as Increment 3 Block 2. This initiative will see Australia’s entire fleet equipped with state-of-the-art antennas, advanced sensors, and powerful new software. The upgrades are designed to substantially improve the aircraft’s core computing and communication systems, ensuring they can effectively search for, detect, and track the world’s most silent and sophisticated submarines.
As the first international operator to receive these specific modifications, Australia is positioning its maritime patrol capability at the forefront of global technology.
This enhancement coincides with the recent delivery of the RAAF’s 13th P-8A Poseidon on September 29, bolstering the fleet’s numerical strength and operational availability. A 14th aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
“These parallel achievements represent a major step forward in securing Australia’s extensive maritime approaches,” said Naomi Smith, director of Boeing Defence Australia Sustainment Operations. “The Increment 3 upgrades will provide our aircrews with a next-generation toolkit for detection and targeting, while the additional aircraft directly enhances our fleet readiness and ability to project power across the region, all while maintaining seamless interoperability with key allies like the U.S. Navy.”
The inaugural two RAAF P-8As will be modified at Boeing’s maintenance facility in Jacksonville, Florida, marking the first time international aircraft have been serviced there alongside U.S. Navy assets. The remainder of the Australian fleet will be upgraded locally by Boeing Defence Australia at its Deeper Maintenance & Modification Facility near RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, supporting domestic industry and expertise.
