New Zealand's First Boeing P-8A Poseidon Rolls Out of Paint Shop

(22 July 2022, 10:48 +07)  New Zealand’s first P-8A Poseidon has rolled out of the paint shop in its Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) livery.

The New Zealand Government purchased four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to eventually replace the current fleet of six ageing P-3K2 Orion aircraft.

New Zealand's first Boeing P-8A Poseidon features Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) livery

The P-8As will provide advanced capabilities to maintain situational awareness in neighboring waters on and below the surface of the ocean.

“The aircraft features the iconic Kiwi roundel, a native bird to New Zealand,” said Sheena Vince Cruz, Boeing P-8 Asia-Pacific region program manager. “Although flightless, the Kiwi bird is recognizable and will continue ‘flying’ as a symbol on the P-8A for decades to come.”

First flight is scheduled in the coming weeks followed by mission systems installation.

The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence later this year.

New Zealand is one of eight nations to have acquired the P-8 as their new multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.

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