Boeing gets $1.49 bln order to build 13 surveillance planes

NEW YORK: Boeing has won a $1.49 billion contract to build 13 additional P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft, and provide parts for 20 other aircraft of the same type.

The United States Defense Department said Thursday that nine planes were being built for the US Navy, while the four others were designed for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Read: Boeing may introduce 'cuddle chairs' to help passengers sleep upright on planes

The parts were being used for the manufacture of 16 more P-8A planes for the US Navy and four other Australian aircraft.

The planes and parts -- with 80 percent of the work being performed in the northwestern state of Washington -- are due to be delivered by December 2018, according to the Pentagon.

Read: Evidence confirms debris found is from Boeing 777