Boeing's tried-and-tested Poseidon was selected as the successor to the ageing P-3C. The first aircraft is due to fly for the navy in just two years.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs) make a significant contribution to long-range maritime reconnaissance capabilities and long-range anti-submarine defence from the air and therefore remain indispensable for the German Navy. For this reason, the Bundeswehr signed a contract for the procurement of five P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing following the parliamentary debate in June 2021.
Foreign Military Sales
The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) procures the aircraft via the US Navy's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. Based on an extensively modified Boeing 737-800, the aircraft have been developed since 2004 and have been successively replacing the US Navy's P-3C fleet since 2013. More than 130 Poseidons are now in service worldwide. In addition to the USA, users include Australia, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway and the UK.
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The Poseidon should only be categorised as an interim solution for the German Navy, because the European dream of a self-developed submarine hunter, contrary to all common sense, was not realised.
The Poseidon has now been built well over 100 times and is used as a submarine hunter by more than half a dozen navies. So why ? Should billions of euros be needlessly invested in development costs again? A400 M and NH 90 send their regards! Detlev Salewski, Essen