The German Navy’s first P-8A Poseidon is nearly ready. The country’s military organization, the Bundeswehr, has released images and a video of the maritime patrol aircraft leaving the paint booth at Boeing’s US facility.
Germany has ordered eight of the jets to replace its aging P-3C Orion turboprops in submarine hunting and reconnaissance duties over the seas.
Five P-8s were ordered in June 2021, and three more aircraft were added in November 2023.
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The aircraft in the images, registration number 63+01, is scheduled for delivery in August 2025. It will be based at the naval aviation squadron in Nordholz, Lower Saxony.
According to Germany, the first German P-8A will now undergo functional checks of all systems, such as engines and hydraulics, and then be handed over to Boeing’s Defense, Space and Security team via a ferry flight.
After checks by the U.S. and German governments, the Boeing 737-800 will become a military aircraft.
More than 160 P-8s in operation worldwide
“With its fully networked leadership capability, the P-8A plays a special role in the fight between joint forces and thus paves the way for a new era of interoperable combat between all branches of the armed forces,” said the project manager of the Federal Office BAAINBw for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr, Frigate Captain Björn M.
Germany’s P-8A will be equipped with a new weapon system that also includes a self-protection system that can ward off guided missiles equipped with infrared seekers.
The aircraft will also have a direct data communication system capable of distributing real-time information to military decision centers.
The Poseidon will also be capable of performing search and rescue missions, using long-range sensors.
There are currently more than 160 P-8s in operation worldwide. In addition to the United States, customers include Australia, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway and Great Britain.
