The P-8A Poseidon plays an important role in Australia’s national security – providing maritime patrol and response services. Designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, it is capable of broad-area maritime and coastal operations. It is also regularly deployed for humanitarian and search and rescue missions.
A derivative of the Boeing 737NG, the P-8A Poseidon is equipped for the future battlespace with maritime weapons, a modern open mission system architecture, and commercial-like support for affordability. Operated by the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) No 92 Wing, and based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, the aircraft has been modified to include a bomb bay and pylons for weapons with two weapons stations on each wing. It can also carry 129 sonobuoys which can be dropped from the aircraft to detect submarines.