The Government of Canada has inked a Foreign Military Sales letter of offer and acceptance for the procurement of up to 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) project. Canada joins a group of eight nations selecting the P-8, recognised as the sole proven, in-service, and in-production solution that fulfils all CMMA requirements, encompassing range, speed, endurance, and payload capacity.
This strategic decision promises extensive benefits for numerous Canadian companies and is poised to usher in decades of prosperity for Canada through sustained platform support provided by local industry partners.
The acquisition of the P-8 is anticipated to generate substantial advantages, including the creation of approximately 3,000 jobs and an annual economic output of CA$358 million for Canada. These projections are based on a comprehensive 2023 independent study conducted by Doyletech Corporation, a reputable Ottawa-based firm.
At the forefront of Boeing's P-8 Canadian industry partnership is Team Poseidon, comprised of key players such as CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace & Defence, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada, Raytheon Canada and StandardAero. This collaborative team builds upon the existing network of 81 Canadian suppliers to the P-8 platform and over 550 Boeing suppliers across all provinces. Together, they contribute to Boeing's annual economic benefit to Canada, amounting to approximately CA$4 billion and supporting over 14,000 Canadian jobs.
With a track record of over 160 aircraft delivered or in service and accumulating a collective flight time of 560,000 hours, the P-8 has demonstrated its capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief response. Canada, in selecting the P-8, joins the ranks of FIVE EYES allies and becomes the fifth NATO nation to choose this versatile multi-mission aircraft. The initial delivery of the P-8 to Canada is anticipated in 2026. (£1.00 = CA$1.71 at time of publication).
