The German navy has taken delivery of its first Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft, the Ministry of Defense confirmed on Thursday.
The aircraft was formally handed over at Boeing’s production facility in Seattle, Washington. Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack, chief of staff of the German navy, said the platform will play a central role in monitoring global maritime activity with particular focus on submarine detection.
Germany decided in 2021 to procure the P-8A to replace its aging fleet of P-3C Orion aircraft. The initial order covered five aircraft at a cost of €1.1 billion ($1.29 billion). Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Berlin expanded the order to eight aircraft using money from a special defense fund created that year. Officials have since indicated interest in acquiring four additional units, which would raise the total to 12.
Although the P-8 is manufactured in the United States, maintenance will be carried out by German companies ESG and Lufthansa Technik, according to the ministry. The arrangement reflects broader European concerns about defense autonomy, which have intensified since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office.
Germany joins 10 U.S. allies that have procured the P-8A, among them the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Japan, and South Korea. Boeing says the global fleet has accumulated more than 700,000 flight hours.
The new aircraft will be stationed with Marinefliegergeschwader 3, the navy’s aviation squadron based on Germany’s North Sea coast. Their introduction comes at a time of heightened attention to naval security in the North and Baltic seas, where Russian vessels and oil tankers have drawn increased scrutiny.
Kaack described the Poseidon as a “flying guardian,” calling the aircraft a major step forward in terms of range, sensors, and mission duration. “Our naval aviators are looking forward to the P-8A and I can ensure you, their inspector is, too,” he said.