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Boeing has secured a $1.7 billion contract to produce and modify the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft fleet, a critical component in the military’s naval defense strategy.

The deal underscores the Poseidon’s importance as a versatile and high-tech solution for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

The agreement begins with an initial order worth $695.8 million to produce seven additional P-8A aircraft for the U.S. Navy. Boeing will also undertake non-recurring engineering work for Poseidon variants intended for Germany and Canada, fulfilling a foreign military sale contract signed earlier this year.

Currently, Canada and Germany also are awaiting delivery of 17 Poseidon planes from Boeing under a $3.4 billion contract the U.S. Navy awarded in March. Australia, India, New Zealand, Norway, and the U.K. are also among the few countries around the world that operate the P-8. 

Boeing is working towards the completion of these orders across multiple U.S. locations, including Boeing’s facilities in Washington and California, among other states. The entire project is scheduled for completion by September 2030, adding seven new aircraft to the existing fleet.

In addition to building new planes, sustaining the existing Poseidon fleet is a priority. In October, Boeing’s defense partner L3Harris Technologies signed a contract to maintain and upgrade the 135 P-8As currently in the Navy’s arsenal. This ensures the aircraft remain at peak readiness for their demanding missions.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon

The P-8A Poseidon is among the most advanced maritime patrol aircraft in the world, designed to meet the evolving challenges of maritime security. Its ability to operate in complex and contested environments makes it a cornerstone of U.S. and allied naval capabilities.

The aircraft’s specialized features, including high-resolution radar, signal intelligence, and weapons systems, allow it to detect and neutralize threats both above and below the water’s surface. The Poseidon’s versatility also enables it to transition between traditional military operations and humanitarian missions, including disaster response and search-and-rescue operations.

The latest contract by the U.S. Navy builds on a legacy of collaboration between Boeing and the U.S. Navy. The P-8A Poseidon, which first joined the Navy in 2013, was designed to replace the aging Lockheed P-3C Orion fleet. Since then, it has proven indispensable, with 135 Poseidons currently in service.

The aircraft is renowned for its cutting-edge capabilities. Measuring 130 feet in length with a wingspan of 124 feet, it is powered by twin CFM turbofan engines, delivering a range of 8,334 kilometers. The Poseidon can achieve a top speed of 564 mph and operate at altitudes of up to 12,497 meters.

Equipped for combat and reconnaissance, the Poseidon carries anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles, lightweight torpedoes, depth charges, and naval mines. These weapons are complemented by sophisticated systems, including a Raytheon-developed surface search radar, airborne sensors, and Northrop Grumman’s electronic countermeasure technology. This arsenal enables the Poseidon to excel in maritime patrol, intelligence collection, and even search-and-rescue missions.

Boeing’s expanding portfolio

Boeing’s new Poseidon contract is one of several major defense deals the aerospace giant has secured in recent months. In November, the company signed a $2.38-billion contract with the U.S. Air Force to build 15 KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers. Like the Poseidon, the KC-46A represents a next-generation solution for military operations, designed to meet the demands of modern air and maritime warfare.

Boeing’s continued investment in the Poseidon program reaffirms its commitment to supporting the U.S. military’s global operations and allied defense capabilities. The $1.7-billion contract ensures that the P-8A fleet will remain a central component of the Navy’s efforts to maintain maritime superiority well into the next decade.