The aircraft, already bearing German military markings and registered as 63+01, was delivered to the United States Department of Defense, which is handling the transaction under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The next step will be the transfer of the aircraft to the German Naval Air Command, scheduled to take place at the Nordholz Air Base in the coming days.
As part of its equipment modernisation programme, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support has ordered eight P-8A Poseidon aircraft through the FMS procedure. These aircraft will replace the retired Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion fleet and enhance the operational capabilities of the German armed forces.
Germany intends to strengthen cooperation with other European P-8A operators, including the United Kingdom and Norway. So far, Germany is the most recent European customer for the P-8A Poseidon.
Denmark has also announced plans to purchase four P-8A aircraft to improve its maritime surveillance capabilities. Additionally, the UK and Norway are considering further acquisitions, and other European countries, such as the Netherlands and Italy, are listed as potential future operators.
