German Navy looks to expand kinetic options for P-8A Poseidon fleet

The German Navy showcased its new Poseidon capability at the recent ILA Berlin Airshow in June 2026. The service is now looking to weaponise its fleet. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The German Navy is looking to expand the weapon set of its newly acquired Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), according to the head of the service's aviation arm.

Speaking at a Boeing media event at the Farnborough air show on 21 July 2026, Captain Broder Nielsen, commanding officer of the Naval Air Command (Marineflieger) said that requirements were being considered to integrate both additional anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapons and a long-range strike capability.

Germany signed a Foreign Military Sales contract with the US government in June 2021 covering the supply of five P-8A aircraft to replace its fleet of aging P-3C Orion MPAs. The order was increased to eight in 2023.

The first Poseidon was signed over to the navy in October 2025. Three aircraft are currently on the strength of Naval Air Wing 3 (Marinefliegergeschwader 3) at Nordholz naval air base, with two more due to arrive before the end of 2026.

German P-8As are currently cleared to operate with the US-supplied MK 54 lightweight ASW torpedo. Under the bilateral Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024, the UK and German governments are looking at a common co-operative procurement of the UK's Sting Ray Mod 2 lightweight torpedo for their respective P-8A fleets. “We will follow both pathways,” said Capt Nielson. “The earlier we get the weapons into our system the happier I am.”