A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft takes off from Perth International Airport, April 16, 2014.
REUTERS/Greg Wood/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Australia will spend A$1.5 billion ($966 million) to boost maritime surveillance of its northern approaches, buying more long range drone aircraft and upgrading Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The fleet of 14 Boeing (BA.N) P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will have anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities upgraded, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Triton will provide long-range surveillance of Australia's maritime region, the statement said.
Conroy said the Poseidon aircraft upgrades will strengthen the protection of Australian "maritime interests".
Persons:
Greg Wood, Defence Industry Pat Conroy, , Conroy, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln
Organizations:
U.S . Navy, Perth International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Boeing, Poseidon Maritime Patrol, Defence Industry, Northrop Grumman, Triton, United States Navy, Defence, U.S, Australian Poseidon, United Nations Security, Thomson
Locations:
Australia, Australia's Northern Territory, Asia, South Australia, United States, Pacific, China, Australian, South China, North Korea