Australia to buy 8 Boeing spy planes for A$4b

[SYDNEY] Australia will buy eight of Boeing Co's P-8A Poseidon long-range spy planes for A$4 billion (S$4.5 billion), part of a growing trend by Asia-Pacific nations to protect commercial maritime interests as tensions in the region rise.

The purchase is aimed at dramatically boosting Australia's ability to patrol 2.5 million square km of marine jurisdiction that include offshore oil and gas interests as well as important routes for energy and raw material supply.

While the order has long been expected, with Australia contributing to the development of the planes, it comes on the heels of China's first substantial military exercise in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean this month. That has sparked speculation that China too is showing greater interest in protecting its commercial sea lanes in the area.