Singapore picks P-8 Poseidon to meet maritime patrol aircraft requirement

 

A P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, this example with the Royal Australian Air Force. Photo c/o RAAF.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) of the Republic of Singapore announced on 10 September 2025 that it will be acquiring four new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as its next generation maritime patrol aircraft.

The announcement was made by Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing after his meeting with US War Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.

The new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, manufactured by US aviation giant Boeing, will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) fleet of five Fokker F50MPA Enforcer II maritime patrol aircraft operated by the 121 Squadron based on Changi Airbase West which have been in service since 1993.

Defence Min. Chan also confirmed on 13 September 2025 that the first batch of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft could enter service with the RSAF by the early 2030s, and that other platforms might be acquired to complement the P-8 in boosting overall situational awareness.

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon was in contention with another offer from Airbus with their C295MPA turboprop, which has disadvantage in terms of  operating range and endurance, operating altitude, faster transit to operating area, and future proofing.

Signs of the potential acquisition of the P-8A Poseidon was highlighted as early as May 2025 when Singaporean firm ST Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing on supporting the aircraft type, which includes the potential creation of a regional service center catering to the P-8.

Regional operators of the P-8 Poseidon include fellow Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA) allies like the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Royal Air Force, as well as regional air arms including the Indian Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force, while the US Navy have deployed their P-8A Poseidon aircraft in the region as part of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

[1] The War Zone

[2] Channel News Asia

[3] Naval News