Third P-8A Poseidon lands at Lossiemouth
One-third of the RAF Poseidon fleet is now in place
Boeing has delivered its third P-8A Poseidon MPA for the UK RAF, the company announced on 14 October.
The RAF has nine aircraft (designated Poseidon MRA Mk1) on order; the first arrived in the UK in early February and the second followed in March. All nine are expected to arrive in the UK by the end of 2021, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
All three aircraft now operate from purpose-built facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, including a new £100 million hangar and upgraded runway.
Two more P-8A aircraft are in the US at the Boeing P-8 Installation and Checkout facility near Seattle, where mission systems are being installed and further testing will take place before final delivery to the RAF.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![FIA 2026: KAI to offer T-50 jet trainer to UK Royal Air Force]()
FIA 2026: KAI to offer T-50 jet trainer to UK Royal Air Force
Another contender for the Royal Air Force's future Hawk trainer replacement programme has emerged, with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) putting forward its T-50 as a proven solution that could be manufactured in the UK.
-
![US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield]()
US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield
The USMC is transforming drones into standard equipment through major funding increases, standardised training, new doctrine and rapid battlefield adaptation, with nearly $820 million requested for UAS programmes in FY2027.
-
![FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology]()
FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology
BAE Systems’ Malloy Aeronautics is seeking to expand the international customer base for its T-150 heavy-lift UAV, with NATO users beginning to adopt the platform and Australia identified as a key prospective market.
-
![FIA 2026: Embraer, Anduril sign agreement to develop cruise missile launch capability for the C-390]()
FIA 2026: Embraer, Anduril sign agreement to develop cruise missile launch capability for the C-390
The Brazilian airframer and US developer have announced plans to offer a palletised launch system for the twinjet tactical airlifter.
-
![FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone]()
FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone
As Tekever positions its newly revealed UK-sovereign, autonomous heavy-lift drone family for the British Army's Project Nyx, the company is also eyeing an international future for the capability.
