Boeing has assembled the first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for Germany.

The Bundeswehr reported on this and published the relevant photos.

The aircraft has already been painted and received German markings at the American company’s plant in Seattle.

This is the first of eight P-8A Poseidons that Berlin has ordered from the United States. The aircraft is expected to be delivered in August this year after passing functional tests.

Last October, Militarnyi reported that Boeing had started assembling the first three P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for Germany.

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

All the aircraft will be part of the 3rd Marine Aviation Wing “Graf Zeppelin,” which currently uses 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 has been designated the Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS). In connection with this status, the German Navy’s Naval Aviation Command stated that it would not create a specialized infrastructure for the Poseidon but would act in a “workaround” manner.

Germany will also deploy its future P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Scotland to monitor the movement of Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.

German industry is an important partner of 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.

Poseidon

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.

The Poseidon can carry up to 9 tons of weaponry, for which there are six external mounting points and five internal ones in the bomb bay. They can be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, sea mines, and depth charges. The aircraft can also drop hydroacoustic buoys and monitor the waters with them.