RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide is the base for the nation’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, as it was for RAAF’s AP-3C Orion maritime patrol fleet for four decades previously.
In February 2014, the Australian Government approved the purchase of P-8A Poseidon aircraft to replace the AP3-C Orion fleet, with the acquisition of the aircraft expected to be completed in 2024-25. South Australia is committed to maximising opportunities for local industry over the life of the project, which will involve 30 years of sustainment and upgrade work.
The Poseidons, a variant of Boeing’s 737 commercial airliner, will provide RAAF with a highly advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and response aircraft.
In 2026, South Australia will become home to a purpose-built Defence 737 deep maintenance and modification facility (DMMF) adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The first-of-its-kind construction project in the southern hemisphere commenced in August 2024 and will secure 450 jobs over the two-year build.
Once completed, the $200 million facility will allow for the heavy maintenance and modification of the P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, generating jobs for approximately 185 skilled workers.
Ahead of the new facility being operational, in August 2022, Boeing Defence Australia commenced deeper maintenance work on the first of Australia’s fleet of P8-A Poseidon aircraft at RAAF Base Edinburgh. This followed three-months of existing hangar modifications to accommodate the program of works and is the first time major maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on the aircraft is being undertaken locally, rather than offshore.
In April 2024, the Australian Government announced a $139.5 million contract with Boeing Defence Australia to upgrade the Poseidon’s software, systems and sensors at RAAF Base Edinburgh, supporting 50 new highly skilled defence industry jobs.
