The German Navy (Deutsche Marine) took delivery of its first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, based on the B737-800(ER) platform, on October 1. 63+01 (msn 67448) is the first of eight units ordered from Boeing.
The handover took place at Boeing's Everett production facility, in coordination with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The aircraft will undergo final acceptance checks before its planned transfer to Marinefliegergeschwader 3 “Graf Zeppelin” squadron based at Cuxhaven Nordholz in November.
Germany ordered five P-8As under a USD1.3 billion contract signed in June 2021 to replace its ageing P-3C Orion fleet. An additional three aircraft were approved in November 2023 through the country's special defence fund, established following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Once introduced, Germany will join the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, India, South Korea, and New Zealand as an operator of the P-8A type.
