Marine Corps Base Hawai'i would receive three squadrons of P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft to replace the retiring P-3C planes under a final environmental impact statement released by the Navy.

The plan would also involve basing five fleet squadrons of P-8As at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. And four at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

"The proposed action is needed to transition from existing P-3C aircraft to the P-8A MMA while maintaining the Navy's overall maritime patrol capability supporting national defense objectives and policies without interruption or impediment to operations or combat readiness," the Navy said in a statement.

The statement did not say when the squadron replacements would occur.