American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has officially presented Germany’s first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) at its Seattle facility. The unveiling comes as part of an order for a total of eight aircraft, indicating a significant step forward in Germany’s maritime capabilities. Images released by the Bundeswehr showcase the aircraft fully painted and adorned with the German national insignia, signaling that it is ready for further testing at the site.
The aircraft is expected to be delivered to the German armed forces by August 2025. This acquisition is part of a larger strategic shift, with Germany initially requesting five P-8A Poseidons in 2021 and later adding three more to its order in 2023. The Poseidon will succeed the older Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion aircraft used for maritime patrol and submarine hunting, which are set to be retired this year.
In 2018, Germany and France initiated a collaborative project known as the Franco-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS), aimed at jointly developing a next-generation European MPA to replace their aging fleets by 2035. However, this joint initiative faced challenges after Germany chose to procure five Poseidon MPAs as an interim solution, leading France to announce its withdrawal from the initiative. Despite this development, Germany has signaled its intention to continue with the MAWS project, commissioning a consortium of companies for a “second National Supplementary Study” to evaluate the program further, as reported by the German magazine Europäische Sicherheit & Technik.
In parallel, France has engaged Airbus and Thales to conduct a risk-assessment study regarding its own A321 MPA, demonstrating that both nations are pursuing independent pathways to bolster their maritime capabilities.
The P-8A Poseidon is designed for multiple missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, and anti-submarine warfare. It features an advanced self-protection suite to defend against guided missile threats. Notably, the aircraft can carry a variety of munitions, including 129 A-size sonobuoys, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and MK 54 lightweight torpedoes, enhancing its effectiveness in maritime engagements.
Measuring 42.1 feet (12.83 meters) in height and 129.6 feet (39.50 meters) in length, the Poseidon can operate at altitudes of up to 41,000 feet (12,496 meters) and achieve a maximum speed of 490 knots (approximately 564 miles per hour). According to Björn M., a project manager at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, the P-8A is pivotal in enabling coordinated operations among various branches of the armed forces, ushering in a new era of interoperable combat capabilities.
