Construction is now actively progressing in the United States on Canada's inaugural P-8 surveillance aircraft, though the delivery timeline has experienced a slight setback from the original schedule. The Department of National Defence confirmed on February 19 via a social media announcement that production of the first CP8A Poseidon has reached a significant milestone with the joining of the fuselage and other major sections at Boeing's facility in Wichita, Kansas.
Revised Delivery Timeline
According to information posted on the DND website, the aircraft is now scheduled for delivery sometime in 2027. This represents a delay from the original plan, which called for delivery of the first plane this year based on a March 2024 briefing note produced for DND and obtained through an access-to-information request by the Ottawa Citizen.
Project Scope and Schedule
The comprehensive $10 billion project, originally announced by the federal government in 2023, envisioned all 14 aircraft being delivered by the fall of 2027. Additionally, Canada maintains an option to purchase another two P-8s from the American aerospace manufacturer. Neither the Royal Canadian Air Force nor DND has provided specific explanations regarding the reasons behind the current delay or whether it will impact the future delivery schedule for the remaining aircraft in the fleet.
Procurement Background
The Liberal government's decision in November 2023 to proceed with a sole-source purchase of the Boeing aircraft marked a significant victory for U.S. industry and provided substantial benefits for American aerospace workers. This procurement approach followed the abandonment of what was originally supposed to be an open competition to acquire a new multi-mission aircraft to replace the RCAF's aging Aurora maritime planes.
Strategic Considerations
RCAF leadership had rejected a potential made-in-Canada solution based on Bombardier aircraft, deeming it too risky from an operational perspective. Military officials argued that Canada needs to further integrate into the U.S. military system, and the P-8 would enable seamless interoperability with the U.S. Air Force and other allied nations that already operate the same aircraft platform.
Political Pressure and Decision Process
The Canadian government faced considerable pressure to select the American aircraft. At the time of the procurement decision, United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen sent a formal letter to Liberal cabinet ministers urging them to move forward with the sole-source arrangement. Cohen's correspondence was directed to various ministers, including then Treasury Board president Anita Anand, whose organization was examining the funding proposal for the P-8 acquisition.
Limited Evaluation Process
In March 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada officially declared that the P-8 was the only aircraft capable of meeting the military's specific requirements, prompting Canada to make a formal request to the U.S. government for a fleet of P-8 aircraft. During parliamentary hearings that same year, government officials acknowledged to Members of Parliament that they had not conducted in-depth examinations of other potential aircraft or engaged in substantive discussions with firms beyond Boeing.
The ongoing construction represents a critical step in modernizing Canada's surveillance capabilities, even as the project navigates the complexities of international defense procurement and scheduling adjustments.
