Boeing is advancing the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare potency with a dual milestone: the induction of the first RAAF P-8A Poseidon into a major upgrade program and the delivery of the service’s 13th aircraft.
The RAAF’s fleet is now set to receive the cutting-edge Increment 3 Block 2 modification, a comprehensive four-year program. This upgrade integrates new antennas, advanced sensors, and sophisticated software to significantly enhance onboard computer processing and communication systems. These enhancements are designed to equip RAAF aircrews with the ability to search for, detect, and target the world’s most capable submarines, ensuring Australia maintains a technological edge in the undersea domain. Australia holds the distinction of being the first international P-8A operator to receive these critical Increment 3 modifications.
The delivery of the 13th P-8A on September 29th directly boosts fleet readiness and extends operational reach. A 14th aircraft is contracted for delivery in 2026. This growth and enhancement occur while maintaining full interoperability with the United States Navy’s P-8A fleet, a cornerstone of the Australia-U.S. defense alliance.
“These upgrades, together with the delivery of the 13th P-8A, mark two important advancements for Australia’s defence of its vast coastline,” said Naomi Smith, director of Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) Sustainment Operations. “Increment 3 Block 2 will deliver next-generation detection and targeting for aircrews, while the newest aircraft strengthens fleet readiness and operational reach.”
The upgrade pathway itself underscores a deepening industrial partnership. The first two RAAF aircraft will be modified at Boeing’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility in Jacksonville, Florida—the first international P-8As to undergo work at this site alongside U.S. Navy aircraft. Subsequently, the remaining fleet will be upgraded in-country by Boeing Defence Australia teams at their purpose-built Deeper Maintenance & Modification Facility near RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. This local capability transfer ensures long-term sovereign sustainment and supports Australian high-tech jobs.
Together, these developments represent a substantial leap forward for the RAAF’s Project AIR 7000 Phase 2. The expanded and technologically refreshed P-8A fleet will be pivotal in safeguarding Australia’s maritime approaches and contributing to regional security, from the vast Indian Ocean to the strategic waters of the Pacific.
