[Oztrich Boy]

I don't know...the Brits have had pretty good success with the Nimrod.

With less sweepback on the wings, the Nimrod trades off maybe 25 kts transit speed for better low speed handling. (Which is more important?)

Plus 4 engines. Can patrol with 2 burning, one just rolling over, one shut dwown.

[beelzepug]

"With less sweepback on the wings..."

That's true enough. And the design is even older than the P3, going back, I believe, to the DH Comet. Interesting that the Comet was a flop as a commercial airliner, as was the Electra; one liked to disintegrate in midair and the other liked to vibrate its wings off. Yet, both have had great success in a military application. Still, I think the 737 variant will prove to be a good replacement over time.
I'll admit to being biased because the company I work for will probably get some work out of the Boeing deal