Upgrade to Australian Poseidon capability

By John Noble 3 min read
A man in military uniform speaks at a podium, with a large aircraft in the background.
AIRCDRE Ken Millar speaks at the opening of the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: LAC Jonathon McCaffrey
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A new $200 million deep maintenance facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh is set to enhance Air Force’s ability to sustain its P-8A Poseidon fleet in Australia, reducing reliance on overseas maintenance and strengthening operational readiness.

Opened on May 15, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) will support heavy maintenance, repair and upgrade work for Air Force’s maritime patrol aircraft, which underpin Australia’s anti-submarine warfare and surveillance capabilities.

The purpose-built facility is the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and will allow deep maintenance and modification work – previously requiring offshore support – to be conducted domestically.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the facility would support a skilled Defence workforce and ensure Defence capability and Australian industry could continue to grow together.

“By embedding deep maintenance and upgrade work for the P-8A Poseidon fleet in Australia, we are strengthening sovereign capability, improving force readiness and reducing reliance on overseas sustainment,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles, MP, and Head of Aerospace systems Division, Vice-Marshal Gerry van Leeuwin, AM, CSM, stand in a group photo with all the leaders with an interest in the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility Opening held at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles announces the official opening of the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The 240-metre-long building has been designed to accommodate and support not just the P-8A Poseidon, but a range of other RAAF platforms and includes:

  • a four-bay hangar capacity suitable for Boeing 737 derivative aircraft
  • aircraft docking systems to provide full aircraft access for deep maintenance and modification
  • workshops to support structural, mechanical, avionics and mission system maintenance and modifications
  • secure systems and infrastructure to support sustainment and upgrade activities for sensitive equipment
  • logistics and support work spaces to enable long-duration maintenance events.

Expected to become a regional hub for P-8A sustainment, the DMMF will also support partner nations. The Royal New Zealand Air Force is scheduled to begin maintaining its own P-8A fleet at the site from 2028.

In March last year, Defence signed a $291 million support contract with Boeing Defence Australia to deliver upgrades to the P-8A fleet, including an improved combat system, enhanced anti-submarine warfare capability, and upgraded satellite communications to improve integration across the ADF.

While two aircraft are currently being modified by the United States Navy, the remaining aircraft will be modified by Boeing Defence Australia at the DMMF.

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