Budget approval for German P-8A Poseidon
On 23 June 2021, the Bundestag (German parliament) approved the euro 1,4 billion purchase of five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft plus associated support and related equipment for the German Navy. On 13 March 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the request from the German government for the Poseidon.
The P-8A will replace Germany's ageing fleet of Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft currently Marinefliegergeschwader 3 (MFG3) at Nordholz (Germany). In June 2020, the German Navy decided to cancel the P-3C modernisation programme and retire the aircraft in 2025.
On 2 November 2020, Scramble Magazine reported on the feasibility study of the French-German Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) based on the Airbus A320neo. But as Germany has now approved the purchase of the P-8A, the French connection will most probably be ended.
Next to the United Kingdom, Norway and the US Navy Poseidon rotations to Sigonella (Italy), Germany will become the fourth operator of the type in Europe.
Image by Boeing Defence