LONDON – The Canadian government chooses the P-8A Poseidon to patrol Canadian waters.
The P-8A offers an unrivaled capability for the army to patrol its northern borders and is able to do so sustainability using a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel.
This news comes after Boeing announced their intent to join forces with the Canadian government in Ottawa, on June 1st, 2022, along with several players in the Canadian industry to provide and collaborate with each other for the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) requirement.
The joint forces of these industries are called ‘Team Poseidon.’
Boeing states that the Canadian procurement of the P-8A Poseidon will create new and high-value-added jobs.
Team Poseidon consists of CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace & Defense, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada, and Raytheon Canada.
This team directly represents 81 Canadian suppliers to the CMMA and also involves more than 550 Canadian suppliers across the country, contributing to Boeings yearly CAD $5.3 billion in economic benefit to Canada.
This supports more than 20,000 Canadian jobs.
The P-8A Poseidon is a modified Boeing 737 to be used for military purposes. It offers advanced military gear which is fit for Canada’s role in NORAD and NATO.
Such purposes include advanced anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue capability.
Significantly, this aircraft meets all the CMMA requirements, which will strengthen Canada’s national security, along with championing environmental concerns.
Heidi Grant, president of Business Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and Government Services said: “Together, we will bolster Canada’s aerospace and defense industry through a 100% Industrial and Technical Benefits commitment if awarded the CMMA contract.”
“As a dedicated partner of Canadian industry for more than a century, Boeing is proud to bring together a world-class team of companies in support of our P-8 offering to Canada”
In addition, Sean Liedman, director of International Business Development for Mobility & Surveillance aircraft, Boeing Defense, Space & Security said:
“The P-8A Poseidon offers a unique opportunity for the Royal Canadian Air Force today in that all of the development costs have been paid by other P-8 customers.”
“By its non-developmental nature, P-8 offers an affordable solution that will defend and protect Canadian security for future generations.”
“With Canada at the forefront of cleaning and greening, it’s fitting that Team Poseidon is elevating long-term environmental sustainability as an integral part of national defense.”
Should the Canadian Government take in the P-8A, this will increase the country’s capability in the global military arena.
Canada will join the US Navy, Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and Germany Navy to operate this particular aircraft.
The P-8A is built on the proven and reliable platform of the Boeing 737 (NG) Nex-Generation commercial aircraft.
With 86% commonality to the commercial variant and more than 4,000 in-service 737s today, this will shave costs of maintenance and will significantly lower spare-parts costs.
