South Korea to Purchase Boeing P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for US$1.7 Billion

South Korea decided Monday to purchase Boeing's P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in a US$1.7 billion project, the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced.

Boeing win puts at rest speculation that Seoul was considering cheaper options from Saab and Airbus.

The DAPA said that Seoul's defense project promotion committee decided to purchase the aircraft through a government-to-government "foreign military sale" program.

"We have decided to purchase the latest maritime patrol aircraft for conducting patrol, search and rescue operations through the foreign military sale program from the U.S. government, in consideration of the cost, time schedule, capabilities as well as the legal aspect," the DAPA said in a press release.

The number of aircraft was not announced in the release. But previous reports said it would be a complement of 4 aircraft with options to purchase more later.