The budget committee of the German Parliament approved on Wednesday (23) the acquisition of five P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, valued at 1.4 billion euros, a parliamentary source said, according to the Reuters. The new planes will replace the German Navy's aging P-3C Orion.
On March 12, the US Department of State, through the Defense and Security Cooperation Agency, informed the approval of the sale of the aircraft manufactured by Boeing to the European country.
“The proposed sale will improve 's ability to meet current and future threats by providing critical resources for coalition maritime operations. currently operates the Lockheed P-3C Orion, but this aircraft is nearing the end of its service life and will retire in 2024,” says the DSCA release, noting that the deal is valued at $1.77 billion.
Based on the 737-800ERX, the P-8 Poseidon has already been acquired by the United States, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Norway and India. The aircraft can carry depth charges, naval mines, torpedoes and the AGM-84 Harpoon missile. More than 120 model aircraft were manufactured.
