NZDF Poseidon to deploy to Japan

For the sixth time since 2018, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will deploy a maritime patrol aircraft to help enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

However it will be the first time that one of the new Boeing P-8A Poseidons will be used for an operational deployment since they came into service a year ago. Until then the annual deployment was performed with the now retired Lockheed P-3K2 Orion.

From mid-April until early May 2024 a P-8A and supporting personnel will be stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The deployment tasks are to engage in monitoring and perform surveillance flights over the Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea to look for violations of sanctions resolutions such as illicit ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean flagged vessels.

The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) is also conducting information gathering activities for sanctions breaking vessels and works closely with related countries such as New Zealand and international organisations.

Credit photo: Andrew Hamblyn (Scramble Archive)