Germany first P-8A Poseidon aircraft set for November 2024 maiden flight.

According to information published by the Bundeswehr on October 9, 2024, the German Navy’s procurement of new maritime patrol aircraft is progressing as planned.
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P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. (Picture source: German MoD)

Currently, the first three P-8A Poseidon aircraft, intended for long-range reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, are under production in the United States. According to the schedule, the maiden flight for these aircraft is anticipated for November 2024. Deliveries are set to begin in 2025.

P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft

The German Navy's acquisition of Boeing's P-8A Poseidon aircraft is a significant step toward modernizing its maritime patrol capabilities, addressing several operational needs. Initially approved in 2021, the German Ministry of Defense signed a deal for five P-8A Poseidons as part of a broader effort to replace the aging P-3C Orion fleet. The Poseidon is renowned for its multi-mission capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. This acquisition is part of a U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement and is valued at approximately €1.1 billion.

The first deliveries are expected by late 2024, with the P-8As set to serve as interim solutions until a longer-term replacement is developed under the Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS), a cooperative effort between Germany and France. The Poseidons will bridge the gap in Germany’s maritime surveillance and ASW capabilities, ensuring the Navy remains operationally effective as the P-3C Orions retire by 2025.

The P-8A has been a trusted platform worldwide, deployed by nations like the U.S., Australia, and the UK, known for its reliability, having accumulated over 350,000 flight hours. German industry partners, including ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and Lufthansa Technik, will be involved in supporting, maintaining, and sustaining the aircraft.

In addition to the aircraft itself, the acquisition includes a comprehensive package covering crew training, spare parts, and software updates to maximize operational readiness.

Technical data

The P-8A is derived from the Boeing 737 platform, but heavily modified for military applications, including reinforced structures and advanced sensor suites.

The aircraft carries powerful sensors like the AN/APY-10 radar, allowing it to conduct wide-area surveillance, while its acoustics systems can detect submarines through sonobuoys. Armament on the P-8A includes Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes, which it deploys for underwater threats, as well as Harpoon anti-ship missiles to engage surface vessels.