Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:03:47-5:04:32

A P-8 Poseidon for South African maritime patrol

A preference for the P-8 Poseidon rests on the contemporary price advantage attributed to its Boeing 737 airframe.

Maritime Patrol AircraftNaval AviationNaval ProcurementSouth African Armed Forces
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Question

What long-range maritime patrol aircraft should modern South Africa consider?

Short answer

The P-8 Poseidon, chiefly because its Boeing 737 airframe is considered an economical basis for a large patrol aircraft. Swedish and French alternatives are also acknowledged.

Notes

The P-8 Poseidon is the preferred option for the proposed South African long-range maritime patrol requirement. Swedish and French alternatives are acknowledged. The preference rests on the Boeing 737 airframe being viewed as comparatively cheap in this June 2024 assessment. That offers a way to obtain a large and capable patrol aircraft, though no detailed acquisition-cost comparison is supplied.