Which is why, as someone else mentioned earlier in the thread, the RAAF are working on buying 8 P-8s and 7 MQ-4Cs to replace the AP-3s...
P-8A Poseidon - Royal Australian Air Force
Defence Materiel Organisation
Phase 1B - Multi-mission Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS) - is intended to acquire High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems for maritime patrol and other surveillance.
Phase 2B - Maritime Patrol Aircraft - is intended to provide the manned component of the ADF maritime patrol capability that will replace the AP-3C Orion aircraft.
Phase 2B will acquire a manned Maritime Patrol Aircraft system capable of performing maritime patrol and response tasks. Phase 2B is being driven by the Life-of-type of the AP-3C. The life-of-type for the AP-3C is determined by the increasing cost of addressing airframe fatigue and corrosion, aircraft system supportability and mission system obsolescence. The airframe and aircraft systems, including engines, hydraulics, electrical and fuel systems will become more costly to support as the aircraft ages. AIR 7000 Phase 2B gained first pass approval on 16 June 2007 to acquire a fleet of eight Poseidon P-8A aircraft through Government to Government program with the USN.
IOC for the P-8A is scheduled for the period FY17-18 through FY19-20.
Australia signs A$73.9m deal to participate in P-8A development - 10/5/2012 - Flight Global
07:27 05 Oct 2012
Australia has signed a A$73.9 million ($81.1 million) agreement with the US Navy to participate in the further development of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
The signing formalises Australia's participation in the development of the Increment 3 P-8A Aircraft and marks Australia's continued commitment to the project to acquire a new manned MPA, says Australia's Department of Defence.
http://www.navyrecognition.com/index...k=view&id=1154
Thursday, 18 July 2013 13:39
According to the head of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, Australia is currently considering an increase in the number of P-8 Poseidon it plans to procure which would reduce the number of MQ-4C Triton drone it originally planned to purchase.