Germany's expansion of P-8 Poseidon fleet casts further doubt on Franco-German MAWS
The Poseidon will take over submarine hunting and maritime reconnaissance from the German P-3C Orion from the end of 2024. (Photo: Boeing)
The recent approval by the German Budget Committee to acquire three additional P-8s has ignited further concerns about potential setbacks in the joint Franco-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) initiative.
Germany has decided to buy three more Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), bringing the total fleet to eight, casting a darker shadow over collaborative Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) initiatives with France.
The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag gave the green light on the additional Poseidons on 16 November. The extra three P-8A will cost about €1.1 billion (US$1.2 billion) and will come from a special fund, the Bundeswehr noted in an announcement.
The German parliament had approved the purchase of five P-8s in June 2021. Speculation about a modification to that FMS and the additional three
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