£240M+ sustainment contracts awarded to support P-8 and E-7 aircraft

More than 380 highly skilled jobs in Scotland have been safeguarded — with hundreds more projected — after the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group) awarded Boeing Defence UK two sustainment contracts  worth over £240 million to support the Royal Air Force's P-8 Poseidon and E-7 Wedgetail fleets.

The contracts include a £115.2 million, two-year extension to provide sustainment and training services for the RAF's fleet of nine P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and a separate £127.5 million E-7 Wedgetail sustainment contract.

Together, they safeguard more than 380 jobs across Scotland, support over 20 existing apprenticeships, and are expected to create a further 60–80 new roles and four additional apprenticeships.

The P-8 Poseidon contract runs through to March 2028 and covers aircraft support, maintenance, supply chain management, training and integration services.

Operated from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, the P-8 is one of the world's most advanced maritime patrol aircraft, playing a critical role in protecting UK and allied interests across the North Atlantic. Its cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems make it central to the UK's anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and search and rescue capabilities — increasingly vital given growing threats to undersea infrastructure and NATO's collective security commitments.

Yet to enter service, the E-7 Wedgetail will be the RAF's advanced airborne early warning and control aircraft, providing commanders with a comprehensive picture of the battlespace and enhancing the effectiveness of allied air operations. The sustainment contract will ensure the fleet remains fully mission-ready, sustaining approximately 180 jobs and supporting the creation of 60–80 new roles alongside four further apprenticeships.

Thom Breckenridge, Managing Director of Boeing Defence UK, said:

"Across our seas and skies, the RAF's P-8 and E-7 fleets play a vital role in safeguarding national and allied interests. Our UK teammates are committed to protecting these interests by delivering sustainment and training that ensures both fleets' operational readiness.

"This work not only supports critical defence capabilities but also creates high-value UK jobs, nurtures a strong apprenticeship pipeline, and drives regional economic growth in Scotland."