Australia equips P-8 Poseidon aircraft with advanced AGM-84J missiles

The Australian Air Force has successfully integrated AGM-84J Harpoon missiles into its Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

This achievement was highlighted during the RIMPAC 2024 exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. The integration involves mounting two AGM-84J Harpoon missiles, marking a significant upgrade to the P-8’s strike capabilities, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The Australian government announced this development on social media, revealing that the P-8 Poseidon made a routine stop at Kaneohe Bay during a flight from Hickam Air Force Base.

During this stop, ground support teams efficiently loaded the Harpoon missiles onto the aircraft, demonstrating effective ordnance handling under time constraints.

The addition of the AGM-84J Harpoon missile, a variant of the Harpoon Block II, enhances the P-8’s operational scope. Initially designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), the P-8 can now engage a broader range of threats, including surface vessels. This upgrade boosts the aircraft’s lethality and strategic deterrence capabilities.

The AGM-84J missile is noted for its precision and versatility, capable of targeting various maritime and coastal threats. It combines inertial navigation and GPS for long-range guidance with an active radar seeker for terminal targeting, ensuring accuracy even in challenging conditions.

Australia’s incorporation of these missiles reflects ongoing modernization efforts within the Royal Australian Navy to maintain a technological edge.

While the exact acquisition timeline and costs are not detailed, the unit price for Harpoon missiles generally ranges from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, depending on the procurement specifics. This enhancement underscores Australia’s commitment to bolstering maritime defense capabilities amidst evolving threats.