Boeing to offer Poseidon to Canada
Boeing is to offer its P-8A Poseidon multimission maritime aircraft (MMA) to Canada in response to the country’s requirement to replace the Lockheed CP-140 Aurora.
Announced on 10 February, the offer sees Boeing become the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to declare for the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) programme.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fields 14 P-3 Orion-derived CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that were first received in 1980. Although the fleet has lately been upgraded with Link 11 and Link 16 datalinks, the RCAF is seeking a replacement.
Besides the P-8A, Airbus has previously touted an A319 MPA, and an indigenous development based on the Bombardier Global Express or C Series could also be offered. Although not previously touted in connection to Canada, the Japanese Kawasaki P-1 and the Swedish Saab Swordfish could also be potential offerings. As previously reported by Janes , a contract is not expected until about 2025 with deliveries in the 2030s.
