Boeing is making inroads into the Asia-Pacific’s competitive air platform market, bolstered, in part, by its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft deliveries to Australia and requests for the same aircraft from New Zealand.
The Australian government received their first P-8A in October 2016, the second this February, and the third this April. Twelve P-8As are on contract for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Beyond Australia, on 28th April, the US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to New Zealand for P-8A aircraft and associated support. This potential sale is for up to four aircraft.
Australia’s quickening pace to modernize its defence forces has included its order for twelve Boeing EA-18 Growler electronic warfare aircraft. In June 2014, Boeing was awarded a contract for twelve EA-18Gs to be acquired by the RAAF under a FMS contract with the US Navy.
In Japan, Boeing continues to discuss a variety of affordable modernisation efforts relevant to the country’s needs to maintain its McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J/DJ fighters in service with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force. Teaming with the US Air Force (USAF), the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Japanese industry, Boeing is introducing Japan to the same capability upgrades now being integrated into USAF and other countries’ F-15 fleets.
