• Burmese
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
25 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Asia

Maritime Patrol Aircraft Seen as Key in Asia, but Buyers Elusive

by Reuters
February 9, 2018
in Asia
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
A Boeing P-8A Poseidon plane. / Reuters

A Boeing P-8A Poseidon plane. / Reuters

4.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

SINGAPORE — When Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon first arrived at the Singapore Airshow two years ago, it caused a stir. Defense buyers around the region were intrigued by the new aircraft, which was touted as reliable, capable and absolutely necessary in a region abundant with naval tension, both above and below the water.

In 2018, the need has grown. China has spent the last few years building up military installations around the South China Sea and its submarines are prowling farther afield, stoking Asian interest in planes that can sweep large swathes of ocean.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Force Sagaing Resistance Retreat

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Force Sagaing Resistance Retreat

November 29, 2023
1.5k
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

November 29, 2023
15.2k
FACT CHECK: Exposing the Myanmar Junta’s Lies on Operation 1027 

FACT CHECK: Exposing the Myanmar Junta’s Lies on Operation 1027 

November 29, 2023
1.8k

The number of offerings on the market has grown too, but the cost of such specialized aircraft has kept the purchases relatively small for now.

“Special-mission aircraft are a strategic asset,” said Avishai Izhakian, Israel Aerospace Industry’s (IAI) deputy general manager for airborne systems and radars, explaining why sales of such planes have remained elusive. “As such, the procurement process is very lengthy.”

Among those joining Boeing in trying to address the market are Saab’s Swordfish Maritime Patrol Aircraft, based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet; the Kawasaki P-1; the Airbus C295 MPA and proposed maritime patrol variant of its A320neo; Leonardo’s ATR 72MP; and IAI’s ELI-3360 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, based on the Bombardier Global 5000 business jet.

The Swordfish is not yet in production, however, and the Japanese Self-Defense Force is the sole customer for the P-1. India and Australia are so far the only Asia-region buyers of the $175 million P-8.

No big sales of maritime patrol aircraft were announced at this week’s Singapore Airshow, the biggest regional aerospace and defense event.

Still, planemakers at the airshow said that Asia remained a promising market.

“There is a requirement need out here in the Asian region for P-8s,” Matt Carreon of Boeing said at a media briefing on Tuesday. He cited the large volume of shipping traffic, the amount of piracy and the “current political climate” as reasons why maritime patrol would be important to Asian militaries.

Two P-8s were on display at the airshow, one flown by the U.S. Navy – the aircraft’s biggest customer by far, with 98 ordered and 64 delivered – and the other by the Royal Australian Air Force, which has ordered 12. Britain and Norway are the only other two announced buyers.

Gene Cunningham, Boeing’s vice president of global sales for defense, space and security, said the company was in advanced discussions with South Korea over a P-8 sale. There might be a decision by the end of 2018, he added.

On Thursday, South Korea’s defense procurement agency confirmed it would buy a maritime patrol aircraft from a foreign company. The Yonhap news agency, citing an unnamed military source, said the decision would be between the P-8 and Saab’s Swordfish for a deal expected to be worth about $1.75 billion.

Target Market

The moneymaking potential for sales in the Asia-Pacific region is clear. The US State Department gave permission last year for a nearly $1.5 billion P-8 sale to New Zealand, although no deal has been announced.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Korea are among others in the region shopping for maritime patrol aircraft, several planemakers said.

“If they are concerned about the proliferation of submarines, we are talking to them,” said Robert Hewson, Saab’s head of communications for Asia Pacific.

Hewson suggested the Swordfish would be as little as half the cost of the P-8 over its lifetime.

IAI’s Izhakian, speaking on the sidelines of the airshow, said the P-8 was better suited for large militaries with bigger budgets than for most potential Asian countries, leaving an opening for smaller aircraft with advanced sensors.

“This is our niche, to provide a more affordable solution with more capability,” he said.

Like Saab and IAI, Boeing designed its aircraft around the bones of a civilian plane, in this case the ubiquitous 737 passenger jet. Carreon said the aircraft’s familiarity, plus the ability add in third-party or local systems, made it attractive to even smaller customers.

“They are shocked at the value they’re getting,” he said.

Defense Spending Rising

Boeing is marketing its jet as a natural upgrade of the older, propeller-driven Lockheed P-3 Orion, which performs the same mission. Only one buyer, India, had not flown P-3s before purchasing P-8s.

Kawasaki was displaying a model of its four-engine P-1 jet, which replaced Japanese P-3s, but Hideki Yamaoka, associate officer and project manager of the company’s Advanced Aircraft Export Project, said it was generally “too high-end for the requirements” of Asian customers.

Unmanned drones are another option. Joseph Song, vice president for international strategic development at General Atomics Aeronautical, which makes the MQ-9 Reaper, said he saw potential for growth in Asia.

“I think the maritime mission is going to be as big as the land mission in the future, driven by Asian customers like Australia, India, Japan, Korea, and I think Singapore and other countries will certainly play a role,” he said.

After a meeting of Southeast Asian defense ministers this week, Singapore defense minister Ng Eng Hen said the country was spending more all around, including on ways to keep an eye on the seas around the island city-state.

“Defense spending on the whole, not only maritime surveillance, has gone up,” he said. “That’s a fact.”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Defense
Previous Post

South Korean Ambassador Says Winter Olympics Send Message of Peace

Next Post

New KIO Chair Preaches Unity, Dialogue to Settle Civil War

Reuters

Reuters

...

Similar Picks:

Chinese Navy Ships Arrive in Myanmar for Joint Drills

Chinese Navy Ships Arrive in Myanmar for Joint Drills

November 28, 2023
4.6k
Myanmar Junta Leader Reshuffles Cabinet Days After Extending Emergency Rule

Myanmar Junta Leader Reshuffles Cabinet Days After Extending Emergency Rule

August 4, 2023
4k
Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing (left) and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko (right) in Belarus in November, 2014. / Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus

UN Vote Puts Spotlight on Myanmar-Belarus Connection

July 7, 2021
8.8k
Some would-be members of the PDF undergo military training somewhere on the border.

Myanmar’s Shadow Government Forms People’s Defense Force

May 5, 2021
13.6k
Myanmar President U Win Myint and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in New Delhi in February 2020. / Myanmar President’s Office

Weapons, Drug Trafficking on Myanmar Border Threaten India’s Act East Policy

October 5, 2020
7.6k
Regime Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin

Myanmar Junta Reorganizes Legal Team for ICJ Rohingya Genocide Case

June 24, 2021
12.7k
Load More
Next Post
KIO Chairman Gen. N’Ban La speaks at the 58th anniversary of Kachin Revolution Day in Laiza, Kachin State, on Feb. 5. / Hkun Awng Nlam

New KIO Chair Preaches Unity, Dialogue to Settle Civil War

A human skull is seen in a shallow grave in Inn Din, Myanmar, October 26, 2017. / Reuters

How Myanmar Forces Burned, Looted and Killed in a Remote Village

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

7 days ago
7k
Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

1 day ago
4.4k

Most Read

  • Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

    Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Continues to Suffer Defeats a Month Into Operation 1027

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.