Fifth RAF Poseidon touches down at Lossiemouth
RAF MPA fleet is now over halfway to full strength.
The fifth P-8A Poseidon MPA for the UK RAF arrived at its Lossiemouth base on 2 February.
The RAF ordered nine aircraft (designated Poseidon MRA Mk1); the first arrived in the UK in early February 2020 and all nine are expected to have been delivered to the UK by the end of 2021, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
The latest delivery (pictured) was the first to be made directly from the Boeing factory in Seattle without making a stop en route to RAF Lossiemouth.
The UK government has invested £470 million ($640 million) in Poseidon facilities at RAF Lossiemouth to support an expansion of MPA operations.
Purpose-built facilities include a new £100 million hangar and upgraded runway.
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
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Avenger UAS controlled in flight using Link 16]()
Avenger UAS controlled in flight using Link 16
The flight test formed part of a larger programme of work to provide mission autonomy software to integrate, data links and other advanced mission systems onto the Avenger UAS.
-
![Embraer promotes C-390 Millennium as it signs for closer ties with Morocco]()
Embraer promotes C-390 Millennium as it signs for closer ties with Morocco
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the Marrakesh Air Show, with the C-390 Millennium positioned as the ideal future choice for the Moroccan Air Force.
-
![Turkish Aerospace eyes European and North African customers as Hürjet goes supersonic]()
Turkish Aerospace eyes European and North African customers as Hürjet goes supersonic
The trainer aircraft will initially seek to replace the Turkish Air Force’s T-38 trainer fleet, with deliveries scheduled for 2026, but TAI confirmed that ‘closer talks’ were underway with potential export customers.
-
![More AMRAAMs approved for Denmark under $744 million deal]()
More AMRAAMs approved for Denmark under $744 million deal
There has been a spike in demand for Raytheon’s Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), including a US$1.2 billion Pentagon order for 12 countries as well as US Navy and US Air Force. There have also been approvals this year for sales to Israel, Norway, Romania and Singapore.
-
![Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 takes flight]()
Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 takes flight
Bulgaria has ordered a total of 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters, which will be delivered in two batches. Deliveries for the first lot are anticipated to commence in 2025.
-
![Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk given boost as Greece and Australia share fleet updates]()
Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk given boost as Greece and Australia share fleet updates
Australia and Greece are among a group of nations who have recently placed orders for UH-60M Black Hawks to replace their ageing fleets and boost their armed forces’ operational capabilities.
