US, Australia spend $1.5B on more Poseidons

P-8A Poseidon aircraft No. 760 takes off from a Boeing facility in Seattle, Wash., for delivery to fleet operators in Jacksonville, Fla., marking the 20th overall production P-8A aircraft for the U.S. Navy. This 20th overall delivery will help the U.S. Navy prepare the next squadron transition to the P-8A from the P-3C Orion. The second fully operational P-8A squadron is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Boeing Defense/Released)

Boeing has been awarded a $1.49 billion contract for 13 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Australia.

The U.S. Navy will receive nine aircraft, with Australia acquiring the remaining four. Production of the Australian P-8As will begin this year, with delivery slated for 2016, said a Boeing news release. The additional Poseidons will bring the U.S. Navy’s total orders to 62, with 28 delivered to date.