Boeing has initiated upgrades for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft under the Increment 3 Block 2 configuration. The upgrade, conducted at Boeing’s Jacksonville, Florida facility, aims to significantly enhance the P-8A’s intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. It introduces advanced sensors, antennas, and computing systems to improve connectivity and mission flexibility. Australia is the first international P-8A operator to receive the modifications, reinforcing its position as one of the platform’s most advanced users. The $90.5 million contract, awarded in 2024, covers multiple aircraft, with the first two being modified in the US before future upgrades transition to Boeing Defence Australia’s Deeper Maintenance & Modification Facility in South Australia. The modernization aligns with the RAAF’s long-term maritime surveillance strategy and supports the country’s integration with allied ISR networks. Boeing has expanded local workforce training, employing over 30 maintenance engineers and apprentices to support the Australian phase of the upgrade. The project will create an additional 30 skilled positions as it progresses. The Increment 3 upgrade ensures the Poseidon fleet remains technologically advanced, maintaining interoperability with US Navy systems and bolstering Australia’s regional security posture.
