Boeing today debuted the first P-8A Poseidon aircraft for New Zealand in its Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) livery.
New Zealand is one of eight nations to have achieved the P-8 as their new multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
New Zealand Government bought 4 Boeing P-8A Poseidon
The New Zealand Government bought four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft that will eventually replace the current fleet of 6 aging P-3K2 Orion aircraft.
The P-8As will provide advanced capabilities to maintain situational awareness in neighboring waters on and below the surface of the ocean. The first flight is scheduled in the future weeks followed by mission systems installation. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence later this year.
“The aircraft features the iconic Kiwi roundel, a native bird to New Zealand. Although flightless, the Kiwi bird is recognizable and will continue ‘flying’ as a symbol on the P-8A for decades to arrive,” told Sheena Vince Cruz, Boeing P-8 Asia-Pacific region schedule manager.
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, modified from the 737-800ERX. It was developed for the United States Navy (USN).
The P-8 works in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
It is armed with torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons, can drop and monitor sonobuoys, and can work in conjunction with other assets, including the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The P-8 is operated by the United States Navy, the Indian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.
Royal New Zealand Air Force as a potential customer in 2008
Boeing publicly identified the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a potential customer in 2008, as a replacement for its P-3 Orions, due for replacement in 2025.
In April 2017, the U.S. State Department authorized the possible foreign military sale of up to four P-8As with equipment and support, valued at US$1.46 billion.
In July 2018, the New Zealand government declared the buy of 4 P-8As, to start operations in 2023. Four P-8As were ordered in March 2019.
The RNZAF is planning to operate the type for at least 30 years.
In September 2020 the inaugural Royal New Zealand Air Force crew for the P-8A graduated from training in Jacksonville Florida, USA. This crew will then qualify as instructors to train the first RNZAF crews back in New Zealand.
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The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications supplies, and missiles worldwide for customers in more than 150 countries.
As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of an international supplier base to advance economic possibility, sustainability, and community impact.
Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture founded on the company’s core values of safety, quality, and integrity.
Boeing is among the biggest international aerospace manufacturers; it is the third-largest defense contractor in the world based on 2020 earnings and is the biggest exporter in the United States by dollar value.
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