Boeing begins building Canada’s first CP-8A in major defence upgrade

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has announced that fuselage integration and production have officially begun on Canada’s first CP-8A Poseidon aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the country’s maritime patrol modernisation programme.

In an official service statement, the RCAF confirmed that the aircraft — bearing serial number 9627 — is now taking shape as manufacturing advances. Boeing Defense also confirmed the progress, signaling the transition from procurement to active production, Defence Blog writes.

The milestone underscores Canada’s broader effort to modernise its long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly across its vast maritime approaches and Arctic territories. The CP-8A fleet is expected to enhance Canada’s ability to fulfill operational commitments under NORAD, NATO, and allied defence frameworks.

According to the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Poseidon was selected as “the aircraft most capable of decisively contributing to the defence of Canada and our vast maritime and arctic regions.” The service emphasised interoperability with partner nations already operating the aircraft, noting that the platform is currently used by eight other countries.

Boeing Defense highlighted the programme’s momentum, stating, “Canada’s first Poseidon is taking shape. We’ve begun fuselage integration on RCAF’s new CP8A Poseidon aircraft. Canada will soon become the ninth nation to operate the P-8, joining the active fleet of more than 175 in service globally.”

The CP-8A Poseidon is Canada’s designation for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a platform already operated by several allied nations. Designed for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, intelligence collection, and search-and-rescue support missions, the aircraft is based on a modified Boeing 737 airframe equipped with advanced mission systems tailored for maritime operations.

The aircraft integrates radar, acoustic sensors, and communications equipment capable of detecting submarines, tracking surface vessels, and coordinating with naval forces over extended distances. It can deploy sonobuoys and conduct persistent surveillance missions, enabling crews to monitor vast ocean areas and maintain situational awareness in remote regions.

Canadian personnel are already preparing for the aircraft’s arrival. As noted by the RCAF, service members are currently training alongside partner forces in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand to gain operational and technical experience required to operate the platform.

The service said cooperation with existing P-8A operators allows Canada to benefit from established operational lessons, helping ensure rapid operationalisation once the aircraft is formally accepted into service. These preparations are intended to enable Canada to contribute quickly to the broader allied maritime operational community.

Operationally, the CP-8A acquisition strengthens Canada’s surveillance footprint across the North Atlantic and Arctic, regions where harsh conditions and vast distances demand long-endurance aircraft. Maritime patrol platforms play a central role in sovereignty monitoring, maritime security, and allied coordination.

Alignment with other Poseidon operators is also expected to improve interoperability during multinational missions. Shared aircraft types simplify training, logistics, and mission planning, enabling closer cooperation during NATO and coalition operations.

By Sabina Mammadli