Aircraft
First Boeing P-8A for Australia Has Flown
The country’s Defence White Paper has suggested a re-order, plus other new acquisitions.
The first P-8A for the Royal Australian Air Force made its first flight on May 23. (Photo: Boeing)
The first P-8A for the Royal Australian Air Force made its first flight on May 23. (Photo: Boeing)

The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft (MMA) destined for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) made its first flight last week. The event illustrates Australia’s effort to enhance its maritime domain awareness and security against a backdrop of the rise of China and India. The country’s recent Defence White Paper emphasized the safeguarding of its maritime approaches, offshore territories and borders, and supporting a “secure nearer region, encompassing maritime Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.”