The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon for the German Navy completed its maiden flight last week from the factory in Renton, Washington.
The Bundeswehr stated that the flight took place a few months later than planned because the aircraft could only enter the paint shop in early February. Now, the P-8 was ready for takeoff. It was a repositioning flight to another Boeing facility, where the aircraft will be equipped with specialized equipment and sensors. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to the German Navy in August.
In 2021, the Bundeswehr placed an order for five aircraft. At the end of 2023, it was announced that three additional units had been purchased. The aircraft were initially intended as an interim replacement for the aging fleet of six Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft. However, the Poseidon fleet is no longer considered a temporary solution, as a joint attempt by France and Germany to develop a maritime patrol aircraft ended in failure. Recently, Airbus announced plans to develop a Marine Patrol Aircraft (MPA) version of the A321XLR in collaboration with Thales.
Lossiemouth, Scotland
The German P-8 fleet will be based at Marinefliegerhorst Nordholz, northwest of Hamburg. However, the aircraft will also occasionally operate from the United Kingdom. At the end of last year, the UK and Germany signed a new military pact to enhance defense cooperation. Once the German Poseidons become operational, they will be deployed as part of the Trinity House agreement from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, where the British P-8 fleet is also stationed.