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Two RAAF Poseidons have completed a three-week surveillance deployment off the northwest coast of Malaysia.
The aircraft conducted the mission, Operation Gateway, in the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea, taking off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.
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The Boeing-built P-8A Poseidon is a maritime patrol aircraft that specialises in anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue capabilities.
Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh and operated by RAAF’s No.11 and No. 292 squadrons, Australia currently operates 12 of the type with an additional two to be delivered by the end of 2026.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN, said the missions provided maritime domain awareness of the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
“For over 40 years, Operation Gateway has been one of the main elements of the longstanding Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“The Indian Ocean is now the globe’s busiest and most strategically significant shipping corridor, with more than half of the world’s shipping container traffic and two-thirds of oil shipments transiting the region.
“The successful completion of this rotation reflects the ADF’s ongoing commitment to working alongside our regional partners to ensure a stable, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”
The latest deployment included engagement between the RAAF and counterparts from the Malaysian Armed Forces, including subject matter exchanges and information-sharing initiatives aimed at strengthening interoperability and mutual understanding.
The news comes after Australian Aviation reported how Boeing Defence Australia won a $290 million four-year contract to sustain the RAAF’s fleet of P‑8A Poseidons.
As part of the maintenance of the P‑8A Poseidon fleet, the federal and state Labor governments are working together to develop a $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF), adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The DMMF project will accommodate the long-term, deep maintenance and modification of the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon and E‑7A Wedgetail aircraft.
In May, the facility’s frame was completed, following the transfer of almost 2,000 tonnes of structural steel.
“The contract signing with Boeing Defence Australia reflects our strong commitment to Australian industry and builds on the nation’s capacity to independently sustain key defence assets,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“This investment strengthens our sovereign defence capability, maintains job security, enhances workforce skills and supports local industry involvement in critical sustainment activities.
“This contract underscores the government’s commitment to building a future made in Australia through investment in local defence industry.”
