Australia’s Defense Department contributed approximately $75.4 million ($73.9 million AUD) to the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime warfare and patrol aircraft program in a sign of the US ally’s continued commitment to the US-led, multibillion-dollar acquisition effort. The Australians on Oct 5 announced the signing of the P-8A Increment 3 project arrangement with the Navy, along with their funding contribution. “This project arrangement represents the first real opportunity for Australia to influence the future capability of the P-8A, as Australia will be involved in the Increment 3 upgrade from the requirements determination phase,” states the release. This increment is expected to include a networked maritime strike weapon, air-sea rescue kit, and enhanced target tracking. Australia’s Herald Sun reported that the Australians had already contributed some $255 million to the P-8 program prior to the new funding infusion. The Royal Australian Air Force plans to operate P-8s in place of its current fleet of AP-3C Orions, which are scheduled for retirement around 2019, according to the Australian defense release. The P-8A is based on Boeing’s 737-800 airliner. (See also Poseidon Awakes.)
NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones
Sept. 16, 2025
NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.
