Boeing assembles first P-8A Poseidon for Germany
Boeing has completed the assembly of the first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for Germany. The aircraft has already been painted and received German markings at the Seattle plant. This is the first of eight P-8As that Berlin has ordered from the United States.
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The first five aircraft were ordered in 2021, and three more in November 2023. Germany has also purchased up to 80 Mark 54 light torpedoes for these aircraft. All Poseidons will be part of the 3rd Naval Aviation Wing "Graf Zeppelin", which currently uses P-3C Orion patrol aircraft.
The P-8A is an interim solution for Germany until the development of a new patrol aircraft is completed as part of the Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) project with France. For this reason, the German Navy's Naval Aviation Command has stated that it will not build special infrastructure for the Poseidon, but will use temporary solutions.
A P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft built for Germany. Illustration: Boeing
Germany plans to deploy some of its P-8As to Scotland to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. As part of the programme, Boeing is partnering with ESG Elektroniksystem-und Logistik-GmbH and Lufthansa Technik, which will provide integration, training and technical support for the aircraft.
The Boeing P-8A is an anti-submarine patrol aircraft based on the Boeing 737-800. It is designed to search for and destroy submarines, conduct reconnaissance, anti-ship and rescue operations. The Poseidon can carry up to 9 tonnes of weapons, including Harpoon missiles, torpedoes, sea mines and depth charges. It is also equipped with systems for dropping hydroacoustic buoys to monitor underwater activity.
Source: Bundeswehr
