An artist’s rendering depicts the P-8A Poseidon in German livery.

Boeing image

The U.S. Navy on Sept. 27 awarded Boeing a contract for five Washington-built P-8A Poseidon aircraft for Germany. First deliveries to Germany are slated to begin in 2024 when the P-8A Poseidon will replace the German Navy’s fleet of aging P-3C Orion aircraft.

“Germany’s decision to acquire the P-8A Poseidon is a confirmation of the game-changing capabilities of the P-8 that we proudly build right here in Washington,” said P-8 vice president and program manager, Stu Voboril. “Boeing is proud to build the P-8 which will dramatically improve Germany’s anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and search-and-rescue missions.”

With this order, Germany becomes the eighth customer of the multi-mission maritime surveillance aircraft, joining the United States, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Norway, Korea and New Zealand.

Germany’s interest in the P-8A Poseidon started in June of 2020, following an economic feasibility study on the modernization of the country’s current P-3C Orion fleet, which found significant cost overruns and delays. That study led the German government to stop the P-3 modernization program and look for a quick solution: Boeing's P-8A Poseidon.

To date, Boeing has delivered more than 135 Washington-built P-8s.

By Marcia Costley and Roger Gilles