UK personnel started training on the P-8A Poseidon in the US.

In 2018, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) had announced its desire to purchase nine P-8A Poseidon aircraft, to be renamed Poseidon MRA Mk.1 for the occasion. Now, the British personnel (Number 120 Squadron and Poseidon Line Squadron) scheduled to use the Poseidon will begin its training in Florida.

RAAF P-8A Poseidon MPA (Picture Source : RAAF picture)

As a reminder, the nine Poseidons will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson cut the first turf on a £132m facility for the new fleet in April 2018. The new facility will be completed in 2020, to coincide with initial operating capability of the Poseidon aircraft being available in the UK.

Built by Elgin-based Robertson Northern, it will comprise a tactical operations centre, an operational conversion unit, squadron accommodation, training and simulation facilities and a three-bay aircraft hangar.

Based on Boeing’s Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A Poseidon offers advanced anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. And the US is now to integrate High Altitude Anti-submarine warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) on its own version of the P-8A. No doubt that the UK will also do so in the future.