Boeing Wins $120M Deal to Upgrade US, Australian Sub Hunters

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $119.7 million contract modification to upgrade P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operated by American and Australian forces, expanding efforts to strengthen anti-submarine warfare and surveillance capabilities.

The November 4 award covers nine Increment 3 Block 2 retrofit kits, including seven for US Navy aircraft and two for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The contract also funds the installation of four upgrade kits and associated government-furnished mission equipment on US Navy aircraft.

According to US defense contracting records, the modification is valued at $119,654,234, with approximately $110.2 million funded by US Navy aircraft procurement allocations and $9.5 million contributed through Australia's cooperative partner program.

The Increment 3 Block 2 configuration introduces enhanced sensors, upgraded mission computers, wideband satellite communications and improved acoustic processing systems designed to strengthen submarine detection, tracking and targeting.

Work will take place primarily in Jacksonville, Florida, with additional activities in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mesa, Arizona. Completion is expected by May 2030.

Australia operates a fleet of 14 P-8A Poseidon aircraft based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

The country received its first upgraded aircraft in September, while the remaining fleet is scheduled for modification under the broader modernization program.

Boeing Defence Australia will carry out upgrades on most of the Australian aircraft at the recently opened Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The latest contract supports continued alignment between American and Australian maritime patrol fleets, strengthening interoperability in anti-submarine warfare and intelligence operations across the Indo-Pacific.

The award covers equipment procurement and specified US installations; it does not confirm that the two newly ordered Australian kits have already been installed.