Lets see, where do i start ?
1 - There is no replacement for the CP-140. AIMP continues unabated until the CDS shitcans the fleet because we cannot afford ASLEP and other issues well above my pay grade.
2- Remember that the P-8 is an aircraft born out of desperation. The original program to replace the P-3 Orion, the P-7 was cancelled post-cold war because it was felt that ASW was dead and the money could be used elsewhere ( the P-3 fleet has been busier than ever). This was based on the Orion airframe with various improvements, more efficient engines, etc,etc.... The program having been cancelled put the US Navy PATRON fleet in a serious bind, to the point that, currently, the P-3 fleetis being retired at such a rate that the last one will be gone well before the first P-8 is on the line of the FRS. This is the setting that brough about the P-8 program....
3- The cost of the P-8 aircraft is a major issue for us, IMHO. We can barely afford AIMP and ASLEP programs, much less a new aicraft as expensive as the P-8. Dont forget as well that there is much more to buying a new plane than just parking them on the flightline at 14 and 19 Wing.
Now, dont get me wrong. I would love to have my hands on a new LRPA but i'm being realistic. The army has the attention of everyone these days ( prtly for very good reasons) so what we do for a living has gone unnoticed. Our missions arent understood by most Canadians and rarely spoken of by people in high places. Some in the air force have subscribed to this "UAVs can do everything" theory and feel that the LRPA mission can be done with those machines. The end of the cold war was also a big kick in the proverbial nuts IMHO but unfortunately , ASW has not and never will go away, ASuW remains a significant role for us as well. With some new kit we can also take on overland ISR roles ( sore spot for me right now). Anyways, all this to say that it adds up to NO MONEY for the CF LRPA fleet.