Boeing rolls out first German Poseidon MMA
The first of eight Poseidon MMAs for Germany ahead of deliveries that are set to begin later in 2025. (German Navy)
Boeing has rolled out the first P-8A Poseidon multimission maritime aircraft (MMA) for Germany, the Bundeswehr announced on 4 February.
The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) branch of the Bundeswehr released a video and imagery showing the first of eight airframes in its new German Navy (Marineflieger) livery and markings ahead of delivery later in 2025.
As shown in the announcement, the first aircraft destined for the Naval Aviation Squadron in Nordholz is 63+01 (the Bundeswehr assigned 60 to its Lockheed P-3C Orion predecessor, with 63 now denoting the P-8A and 01 denoting the first such aircraft).
The service was originally to receive five Poseidons, but this was increased by a further three aircraft in November 2023. This increase is part of a wider uplift in the national defence budget, specifically the EUR100 billion (USD104 billion) Söndervermögen (special fund) uplift following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
German national media has previously said that as many as seven more aircraft might be added for a final fleet of 12, though this now seems unlikely given wider budgetary pressures. When deliveries begin in the third quarter of 2025, the German Navy will join the Royal Australian Air Force, the Indian Navy, the Republic of Korea Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, and the US Navy in operating the type.
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