Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Harriett Baldwin, U.K. minister for defense procurement, have signed an agreement that aims to strengthen the U.S.-U.K. defense partnership and collaboration in P-8A Poseidon aircraft operations.
The Defense Department said Wednesday the two countries will seek opportunities to share logistics and support bases for the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft.
“This cooperation agreement ensures and deepens our interoperability and maritime patrol capabilities,” Work said.
“Together, the U.S. and U.K. will continue to deter regional threats and maintain a robust military posture.”
Baldwin noted the declaration serves to drive the countries’ efforts to establish mutual security in the North Atlantic region.
The State Department approved the U.K.’s request to procure nine Boeing-built P-8A aircraft through a potential $3.2 billion foreign military sales deal in March 2016.
DoD said the P-8A purchase is part of the U.K.’s 2015 Strategic Defense and Security Review that aims to build on the country’s surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering and search-and-rescue operations.
A British air force base in Scotland will host the aircraft, with the first delivery set in 2019.
