Australia's first P-8A Poseidon aircraft has completed its maiden flight, the Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday.

It was just a short hop between Renton airport to Boeing Field in Washington State, where the aircraft's mission systems will be installed.

The $5.4 billion P-8A program will replace the country's AP-3C Orion aircraft for manned maritime patrol and response missions, the ministry said.

Its primary roles will include detection and response to naval surface and submarine threats, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as assisting in search and rescue operations.

The P-8A is about 130 feet long with a 123-foot wingspan and a top speed of 563 mph, featuring a range of 4,660 miles.

It was acquired through a cooperative program with the U.S. Navy and has come in $260 million cheaper than the initial budget, the ministry said.

A Royal Australian Air Force crew will fly it home later this year following post-production checks.

Pakistan acquiring AW139 helicopters
Rome (UPI) May 25, 2016 - The government of Pakistan has ordered AW139 helicopters from Leonardo-Finmeccanica for use in search-and-rescue operations.

Neither the specific number of helicopters ordered nor the value of the procurement contract were disclosed.

The AW139 by AgustaWestland, which is now part of Leonardo-Finmeccania, is an intermediate twin-engine helicopter. It has a maximum speed of 193 miles per hour, a range of more than 771 miles and a flight endurance of nearly six hours.

Delivery of the helicopters will begin next year.

"The new generation AW139 sets new standards in the market with advanced technology and class-leading performance, reliability, safety, versatility and cabin space," Leonardo-Finmeccanica said.

"The aircraft has outstanding one-engine inoperative capabilities, even in hot and high operating conditions."