First P-8A Poseidon Patrol Aircraft Handed Over to the German Military

The German military has received its first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, manufactured in the United States.

Hartpunkt reported hits.

The handover ceremony took place at the American Boeing plant in Seattle.

In total, Germany has ordered eight such aircraft. They are designed to enhance the intelligence capabilities of the German Navy on the high seas and NATO’s collective capabilities in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea.

Currently, the German Armed Forces Procurement Office (BAAINBw) is conducting final quality checks and acceptance tests to ensure that the P-8As are shipped to Germany, probably next month.

The aircraft with tail number 63+01 made its first flight in early March 2025.

The completion of the aircraft’s assembly was announced in early February, and its production process commenced in October 2024.

The first five aircraft were ordered in June 2021, and three additional ones were contracted in November 2023. Germany also ordered up to 80 Mark 54 light torpedoes for the P-8A Poseidon in 2023.

All the new aircraft will be part of the 3rd Naval Aviation Wing “Graf Zeppelin”, which currently operates P-3C Orion patrol aircraft in two squadrons.

Officially, the P-8A is considered a temporary solution until the completion of a joint project with France to develop a maritime patrol aircraft, which is designated the Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS).

German industry is a key partner in the P-8A Poseidon program. In Germany, Boeing is working with ESG Elektroniksystem-und Logistik-GmbH and Lufthansa Technik to provide system integration, training, and support for the new aircraft.

The Boeing P-8A is a patrol anti-submarine aircraft designed to detect and destroy enemy submarines in patrol areas. It can also conduct reconnaissance and participate in anti-ship and rescue operations. It is based on the Boeing 737-800 civilian passenger airplane.