P-8 Poseidon

Sep- 2026 -

23 September

Air

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft representing No. 11, No. 12, and No. 292 Squadrons (centre), an MQ-4C Triton from No. 9 Squadron (left), and an MC-55A Peregrine from No. 10 Squadron representing the Air "ISR Family" of jets in No. 92 Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. This image has been digitally altered. *** Local Caption *** On Tuesday 22 September 2026, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, accompanied by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, visited RAAF Base Edinburgh to announce a series of significant milestones for Australia's Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (Air ISR) capabilities. The Acting Prime Minister announced the achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine, the completion of major upgrades to the first two P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Australia's fleet in the United States, and the forthcoming commencement of upgrades to the remaining fleet at the recently opened Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh. These milestones represent a significant enhancement to the Royal Australian Air Force's ability to deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance effects across Australia's primary area of military interest. RAAF Base Edinburgh is the Royal Australian Air Force's principal Air ISR hub and home to No. 92 Wing, which operates the P-8A Poseidon, MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine through Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 292 Squadrons. Built through years of collaboration between Defence, industry and the United States, Australias integrated Air ISR fleet continues to grow.

Australia Reaches Key ISR Milestones Across Triton, Peregrine, and Poseidon Fleets

The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial systems and MC-55A Peregrine jets, alongside the completion and upgrade of the military’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission fleet.

Aug- 2026 -

6 August

Air

Christine Casimiro

Northrop Grumman, Boeing Demo First MQ-4C Triton, P-8 Poseidon Teaming

Northrop Grumman and Boeing have demonstrated the first automated crewed-uncrewed teaming between the MQ-4C Triton drone and the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Mar- 2026 -

18 March

Air

A Republic of Korea Air Force P-8 aircraft

Rojoef Manuel

Boeing to Upgrade Mission Software of S. Korea’s Poseidon Fleet

The US Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a $38.7-million contract to provide mission software updates for the Republic of Korea’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft fleet.

18 March

Air

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 28, 2025. The P-8A Poseidon is the U.S. Navy’s multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, conducting long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

Bea Castañeda

P-8 Poseidon: The Backbone of Maritime Surveillance

This guide shows how the P-8 Poseidon fuses sensors, weapons, and networks to power maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and global naval intelligence missions.

May- 2025 -

27 May

Air

A Royal Canadian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft is seen flynig over a large body of deep-blue water. In the far background, a snow-capped mountain range can be seen.

Juster Domingo

Canada Taps L3Harris for New Navy Aircraft Sensors

L3Harris has signed a deal to provide surveillance and targeting systems for Canada's P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.

21 May

Air

The Station Commander from RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Layden, has a flight with 120 Sqn onboard the RAF’s new submarine-hunting Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The Crew, with Wing Commander Hanson are training continuously to begin Operations. The Station Commander, as part of the assessment of how things are progressing observes the Sqn as the carry out a training exercise over the North Sea. The aircraft is part of a new £3 billion programme, including the purchase of nine state-of-the-art Poseidon jets, which will improve the UK’s ability to track hostile targets below and above the waves. Poseidon aircraft will protect the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent and be central to NATO missions across the North Atlantic, co-operating closely with the US and Norwegian Poseidon fleets. The UK’s purchase of the Poseidon is in response to increased threats such as Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic returning to Cold War levels, while China is also investing heavily in new Arctic facilities, infrastructure and ice-capable ships.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Announces $400M Flight Training Upgrades for Navy, Air Force

The UK Ministry of Defence has invested $402.4 million to strengthen the flight skills of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in modern warfare.

Apr- 2025 -

21 April

Land

Rojoef Manuel

New Zealand Begins Construction of Poseidon Aircraft Training Simulator

New Zealand’s Defence Force has started the construction of a P-8A Poseidon aircraft training simulator at Ōhakea base on the North Island.

Feb- 2025 -

10 February

Americas

Germany's first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fully painted at Boeing's Seattle facility

Christine Casimiro

Boeing Rolls Out First P-8A Poseidon for Germany

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has unveiled Germany’s first out of eight ordered P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) at its Seattle facility.

Nov- 2024 -

25 November

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Boeing Secures $1.7B US Navy Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft Deal

Boeing has received a $1.7-billion contract to produce and modify P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for the US Navy.

13 November

Europe

Inder Singh Bisht

Airbus A321MPA Clinches France’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft Competition

The French Ministry of Armed Forces has reportedly selected the Airbus A321MPA (maritime patrol aircraft) as the winner of the French Navy’s future maritime patrol aircraft program.

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