The maintenance activity was highlighted during a ceremony in Hamburg attended by local and military officials. The event underscored the growing role of German industry in supporting national defence capabilities.
Peter Tschentscher said: “Hamburg is a strong aviation hub and can contribute the expertise of its companies to the military sector as well.” He added: “I am pleased that the P-8A Poseidon project with the participation of Lufthansa Technik has come to fruition in Hamburg, and I wish everyone involved great success.”
The P-8A Poseidon is designed for long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare operations. The aircraft provides capabilities to detect, track and, if necessary, engage submarines across large maritime areas.
Broder Nielsen said: “Naval aviation is of strategic importance to our security.” He added: “With the P-8A Poseidon, we finally have such a long-range, networked, and state-of-the-art airborne submarine hunter at our disposal once again.”
The initial maintenance work includes routine inspections and servicing tasks on newly delivered aircraft. These activities involve visual checks, lubrication of landing gear components and specialised cleaning operations for aircraft operating in maritime environments.
Stefan Rauscher said: “With the first two successfully completed checks on a P-8A, Lufthansa Technik has proven that the company can also handle naval aircraft.” He added: “I am confident that we will establish the same trusting, efficient, and timely collaboration here that we have known and valued for years with the German Air Force’s transport and special-mission aircraft.”
The German Navy’s first Poseidon aircraft is currently undergoing a 180-day inspection, while a second aircraft has completed a 90-day check. These early maintenance phases are intended to ensure operational readiness as the fleet enters service.
Janna Schumacher said: “Military-registered aircraft have long been a common sight in our hangars, and yet the first Poseidon checks represent a novelty for us – for the first time in the company’s history, our employees here are working on potentially armed systems.” She added: “Together with the Navy, we are sustainably strengthening the operational readiness of the German Poseidon fleet and making an important contribution to the success of the German ‘Zeitenwende’– by supporting those who defend our values every day.”
The maintenance work follows a broader agreement signed with Boeing covering support services for the German Navy’s Poseidon fleet. These services include component support, engine monitoring and technical training.
Germany has ordered eight P-8A aircraft, with three currently in service. The programme is supported by an industrial team including Lufthansa Technik, Boeing and ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, now part of the Hensoldt Group.
