Upgrading the P-8's offensive capabilities could add confusion to any Chinese planning, but the Pentagon has struggled to integrate LRASM onto other aircraft.
USN P-8A multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
USN will obtain 11 more P-8A aircraft and RAAF fleet will grow by two.
The USN is procuring 11 additional P-8A Poseidon long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft from Boeing for $1.7 billion, the manufacturer announced on 31 March.
Two of these Poseidons will be supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a partner in the P-8A programme.
The latest contract will bring to 114 the total number of P-8As in the USN inventory, plus 14 bought by the RAAF via the FMS programme.
Other orders for the P-8A (or variants thereof) have come from India, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the UK.