Roll-out first RNZAF Poseidon
On 22 July 2022, the first Boeing P-8A Poseidon for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), serial NZ4801 (line number 9449), emerged from the paintshop at Boeing's Seattle facility (WA).
In March 2019, New Zealand ordered four Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Delivery of the first P-8A to the RNZAF is expected by April 2023 with initial operating capability (IOC) achieved by July of the same year. The entire fleet of four aircraft is slated to reach final operating capability by 2025.
The four Poseidons will replace the original six Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft of which three are still active.
On 29 July 2022, P-3K2 Orion NZ4204 made its final flight as part of a Formation Thunder flypast with a RNZAF Boeing 757 aircraft over Auckland air base. The Orion then flew over Ohakea air base and landed at Woodbourne. The other Orions that were withdrawn from use are NZ4206 on 22 January 2022 and NZ4203 on 24 September 2021.
The RNZAF published a video of the roll-out of the new Poseidon at their facebook pages.
Photos: RNZAF and still from video