FARNBOROUGH—Boeing is pursuing several additional P-8 prospects in Europe, including a somewhat far-fetched effort to convince France to buy the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
France has a requirement to replace its fleet of turboprop-powered Dassault Atlantique 2 platforms and last year awarded Airbus and Dassault feasibility studies for replacement options.
Boeing is trying to make the case that rather than spending a significant chunk of money and waiting years for a new-design MPA, Paris should leverage the U.S. Navy investment in the P-8 and receive an aircraft more quickly.
“As the procurement arm of France deliberates how to replace the Altantiques, I think including P-8 in that consideration with some indigenous, organic-developed programs—I think that makes sense,” says Tim Flood, who leads Boeing’s regional business development in Europe, Israel and the Americas.
Flood acknowledged the long-shot nature of the argument, given France’s interest in supporting its homegrown defense industrial base. But “at some point, there needs to be a balance between the national interest in European strategic autonomy … with an off-the-shelf solution that provides all the interoperability, interchangeability, affordability benefits and leveraging the way we partner with French industry.”
For the French program, Airbus has explored an A320 MPA concept, with Dassault focused on its Falcon 10X business jet that is due for first commercial customer deliveries in 2027. A program to replace the Atlantique 2s could get underway in 2026, with entry into service in 2030-40.
France has not said how many aircraft it may buy. But based on the current fleet’s size and the greater capability of more modern aircraft, Boeing expects that a 14-16 aircraft purchase is likely.
Boeing also sees prospects for P-8 purchases in Italy and Denmark, Flood says.
The U.S. OEM also faces the reality that the Navy program may be coming to an end, although Flood said there is still the prospect for follow-on purchases. But the company is thinking about slowing down production further, which would delay the decision on a line shutdown. Boeing already slowed production from 18 aircraft per year to 12 and could now go down to a rate of less than one aircraft per month.
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