P-8s for Kiwis

[bentwaters81tfw]

http://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files ... _17-13.pdf

[plmc135]

Looking good for the re-introduction of the Fincastle Trophy, if we can afford it.

[turmo]

Not really a surprise given the traditional aim for commonality with the Australian forces.

But it's a pity Kawasaki didn't manage to break-in earlier in the general MPA replacement cycle. Now they're fighting uphill against the "well everyone else uses it..." effect of the Poseidon.

[Rory76]

Even more so when you consider the number of 737s knocking about, with the p-1 being a unique airframe.

[Marpat]

It may be a year or two before we can resurrect Fincastle. Whichever party ends up in government, the post GE SDSR will be an absolute monster and a lot of procurement projects will simply have to disappear. Latest rumour is that the Kiwis will be getting P-8s diverted from the soon to be cancelled RAF order.

[Supra]

..............."diverted from the soon to be cancelled RAF order."

Shouldn't have put that out on here? That's worth Daily Fail 'scoop-money!'

[page_verify]

I doubt it's a scoop! Given another of the RAF's most important missions can be delivered with just three aircraft then our four most important boats can almost certainly be protected with just two or three MPAs.........

[filmman]

Not really. If you park one MPA in the vicinity of a boat it's like putting a target sign on it. So you need to deploy more than one in a random shifting pattern, possibly trying to track possible hostile subs. For instance, Russia has ramped up sub production, quality and deployment. Sub ownership both nuclear and conventional is growing worldwide. So a RAF order of about 8 would seem to be a minimum requirement to be able to deploy a appropriate number 24/7 when required. That's apart from protecting other targets.
Filmman