The Australian government has awarded Boeing Australia a A$60 million contract (approx. US$43.3M) for the delivery of sustainment services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.
The contract award follows Australia’s completion of a program of modifications on the P-8A that will support future upgrades to the aircraft.
RAAF currently flies 12 Poseidon MPA and has ordered an additional two airframes, bringing the fleet to 14 units.
The A$60 million contract will see Boeing Defence Australia undertake major maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work and spiral upgrades for the aircraft. Work will also include the development of a digital sustainment capability at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
“We expect the contract will necessitate around 37 additional South Australian jobs from the outset and the engagement of multiple local businesses, and that these numbers will increase over time,” BDA director of commercial derivative aircraft Darryn Fletcher, said.
The announced maintenance order is part of Australia’s industry plan to develop a sovereign sustainment capability.
“To achieve this on one of Australia’s most complex aerospace programs is evidence of our strong partnership with the Commonwealth and our shared commitment to developing sovereign deeper maintenance capability,” Fletcher added.
“This new contract with Boeing Australia to maintain the Poseidon fleet, is an important contribution to defense’s mission. It brings heavy maintenance work to Australia that would otherwise have been performed in the United States,” Australian defense minister Peter Dutton said.
