On December 7, New Zealand received the first of four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The milestone comes four years after the New Zealand Government entered into an agreement with the U.S. Navy for the P-8A aircraft. Boeing Defence Australia will provide sustainment services for New Zealand’s fleet with the support of the P-8 International Programme.
New Zealand’s three remaining P-8 aircraft are all in advanced stages of production and will be delivered in 2023. The aircraft will replace New Zealand’s current fleet of six P-3K2 Orions and will be based at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea.
