Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Portugal receives first second-hand P-3C Orion from Germany
The Força Aerea Portuguesa (FAP; Portuguese Air Force) received the first of six former Marineflieger (German Navy)-operated P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) on February 9
RAF Poseidon Force to gain UK-made Sting Ray torpedoes
The UK Ministry of Defence will integrate the British-made Sting Ray acoustic homing lightweight torpedo onto the RAF’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft, with the munition set to augment the type’s current US-made Mk 54 Lightweight Torpedo
Canada finalises deal to buy up to 16 P-8A Poseidons
Canada has confirmed that it will buy up to 16 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Germany orders more P-8A Poseidons
The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag released €1.1bn of additional funding for the procurement of three more P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the German Navy on November 16
Indian Navy bids fond farewell to final Il-38SD Sea Dragons
INAS 315 ‘Winged Stallions’ – which has the unique distinction of operating the same aircraft type throughout its entire 46-year history – finally stood down the Indian Navy’s last Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon maritime patrol aircraft on October 31. Angad Singh reports from INS Hansa in Goa
Argentina moves to buy Norwegian Orions and Danish ‘Vipers’
The Argentine Air Force and Navy are being prepared for a major recapitalisation with the acquisition of four P-3C/N Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Norway and up to 38 F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters from Denmark, after the respective deals were green lit by the US government on October 11
RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Bears over the North Sea
The RAF scrambled Typhoon FGR4s on Quick Reaction Alert duty at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, to intercept two Russian long-range maritime patrol aircraft – comprising a Tu-142MZ Bear-F and a Tu-142MRM Bear-J – as they transited north of the Shetland Islands on August 14
New Zealand declares Poseidon fleet operational as final aircraft arrives
The Royal New Zealand Air Force declared its newly acquired Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet operational on July 1, just weeks before the air arm welcomed its fourth and final example of the US-built maritime patrol aircraft to RNZAF Base Ohakea, near Palmerston North in the Manawatu, on July 17
US green lights sale of P-8A Poseidons to Canada
US State Department approval has been granted for the possible Foreign Military Sale of 16 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), related equipment and training/logistical support services to Canada for an estimated cost of $5.9bn
US Navy’s VP-30 sends last P-3C Orion to the Boneyard
The US Navy’s Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) ‘The Pro’s Nest’ hosted a sundown ceremony to bid farewell to its final Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft at NAS Jacksonville in Florida on June 23, bringing to an end more than 60 years of operations with the type