US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon fleet grows
The US Navy has taken delivery of its 15th Boeing-built P-8A Poseidon aircraft at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on schedule, the company reported on 6 August. The aircraft will join the other Poseidon aircraft being used to train navy crews in preparation of deployment.
The delivery follows Patrol Squadron (VP) 16’s recent return home from the P-8A’s first operational deployment. The ‘War Eagles’ of VP-16 were deployed for seven months, operating out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. They were recently replaced by the ‘Mad Foxes’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5.
The navy will deploy the P-8A aircraft along with the rest of the fleet in support of long-range maritime patrol missions.
Boeing is under contract to build and support 53 P-8A aircraft for the US Navy. Current requirements could see the navy extend its fleet to a total of 117 P-8A aircraft as it replaces its existing P-3 fleet.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies]()
US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies
The programme’s structure as a marketplace will allow multiple companies to compete for ongoing procurements; an approach which could be replicated across the Atlantic.
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
