Boeing introduced its first P-8 aircraft to New Zealand

In March 2019, the New Zealand Ministry of Defense ordered four P-8A Poseidon, A flight beyond stock Marine Patrol One Maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), defined as Maritime Multi-Mission or Multimission seaplane (MMA).

This is first P-8A imposed Royal New Zealand Air Force One Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), left the Boeing paint chamber on July 22 with the squadron’s colours, military serial number NZ4801 and the symbol of the New Zealand bird kiwi, in which he will become the aircraft’s sixth director.

The P-8, based on the successful Boeing 737 commercial airliner, is currently in service in the United States, India, Australia and the United Kingdom, with orders for Germany, South Korea, Norway and New Zealand. and is under construction.

The first P-8A operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. (Photo by Boeing)

The The first P-8A delivery to the New Zealand Air Force is scheduled for April 2023Awaiting July of the same year to announce initial operating capacity or Early operating ability (IOC). In 2025, final operational capability will be achieved with four devices delivered. For this process, we will have the support of the US Navy, which, In practice From whom the equipment is formally procured, to support the support and maintenance of the aircraft, New Zealand’s neighbor the Royal Australian Air Force or Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which is its best ally, operates a dozen P-8As and will receive two more.

With these four Poseidon, The RNZAF also converted six Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orin Between 2021 and 2022, three in-service MPAs were also acquired from the US after the others were decommissioned. One of these, registered NZ4204, made its last flight in the Auckland area on 29 July. House of N5 TroopsWho runs them and who is restructured P-8A. (Julio Mazzanes)