The Canadian Government today announced that it had submitted a Letter of Request through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program regarding acquiring up to 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The Government of Canada seeks to replace the CP-140 Aurora fleet with a Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The CP-140 Aurora fleet was originally procured in 1980, and the aircraft is scheduled to retire in 2030. Procuring a new fleet is required to ensure Canada’s military has the equipment to continue protecting Canadian sovereignty along its coastline.
A Request for Information (RFI) was released in February 2022 to obtain information from the industry. Following engagements with industry and Canada’s closest allies, the government has determined that the P-8A Poseidon is the only currently available aircraft that meets all of the CMMA operational requirements, namely anti-submarine warfare and C4ISR. This platform is a proven capability that is operated by several of Canada’s defence partners including all of its Five Eyes allies—the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand—as well as Norway, and South Korea. Germany has also recently purchased this platform.
“The P-8A is a proven multi-mission capability that meets all requirements and will protect Canada’s oceans and its borders for future generations. We look forward to working with the U.S. and Canadian governments to finalize this sale under the Foreign Military Sales process. Together with our Canadian industry partners ― CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace & Defence, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada, Raytheon Canada, and Standard Aerospace ― we are committed to delivering 100% Industrial and Technical Benefits that will significantly grow Canada’s aerospace and defense industry.”
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