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Third P-8A arrives

Three out of four P-8A Poseidons are now in New Zealand.

25 May, 2023

RNZAF Base Ohakea welcomed the arrival of a third P-8A Poseidon on 19 May, following a long flight from the Boeing Company’s workshops in Seattle.

No. 5 Squadron will operate four Poseidons, which replace their predecessors, the P-3K2 Orions. The squadron’s six Orions were retired in January after 55 years of service.

The Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, including humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions.

The grey P-8A touches down at Base Ohakea with smoke coming from the rear tyres as they make contact with the runway. The runway has grass on either side with trees in the background.
The P8-A taxis to in front of the hangers (left) while dark clouds form in the background. The apron is parked with white and yellow lines to indicate the path the aircraft should take.
Behind the tail of another P8-A, which has an albatross painted on it in a darker grey, is the newest arrival to the fleet making it's way to the apron.
A nose-on view from an elevated position of the new P-8A Poseidon.
Now parked, the tail and rear of the aircraft it displayed, including the RNZAF roundel and the aircraft identifier 'NZ4603'.

The fourth and final Boeing delivery will arrive by mid-2023. The first Boeing arrived in New Zealand on 12 December 2022 and the second on 20 March 2023.

Following this link to read more about our newest aviation capability.