What can P-8a Poseidon do, the new Submarine Hunter of the Bundeswer armed with torpedoes and rockets
The German armed forces (Bundeswehr) received the first of the eight maritime patrol planes P-8a Poseidon. The German Embassy in Washington announced on Wednesday night that the first aircraft to hunt submarine was handed over to the German navy in Seattle.
“This is an important step in strengthening Germany's security and defense capabilities. The US equipment plays an essential role in these efforts, Germany investing over $ 33 billion in American defense systems,” the diplomatic mission said.
The P-8a Poseidon maritime recognition plane is equipped with modern sensors and torpedoes and will be used by Bundeswehr for air space surveillance and submarine hunting, writes Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
P-8a Poseidon is capable of detecting, locating, pursuing and combating enemy submarines.
In the center of attention will probably be the Russian submarines that sail in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, notes the German publication, reminiscent of two incidents in which Moscow's submersibles were involved.
Incidents with Russian submarines
In February, the German Federal Police escorted a Russian submarine off the island of Rügen; And in August, according to the British media, NATO hunted at least a modern submarine in the Jasen-M class, which is supposed to be sailing near an American aircraft carrier.
NATO allies who already have this maritime recognition plane are based on P-8A, which the German Navy will now receive.
The head of the German navy, Vice -Adamaral Jan Christian Kaack, said that the entry of the aircraft is a “decisive step” towards the modernization of the air fleet that “based on a quantum jump in terms of action, sensors and the use of the new weaponry system.”
He stressed that Germany will thus enter into a world network of partners who already use this plane, such as the US, Australia, South Korea, India and Norway.
P-8a Poseidon is designed according to the Boeing B737-800 and modified to allow the latest maritime supervision and attack capabilities. The aircraft can fly at an altitude of about 12,500 meters and can travel over 2000 kilometers with a single tank.
It reaches speeds of about 900 kilometers per hour. According to the Bundeswehr, the device is completely digitized, which allows the crew to carry out more missions in the shortest time. “Instead of outdated computer technology in the 1980s, there are now possibilities for live transmissions and high -speed data transfers, as well as advanced satellite communications,” according to the German army.
What will P-8a Poseidon be equipped with
For recognition and submarine hunting, the plane has modern sensors and a radar. On board there are several sonar beacons, which can be thrown into the water if the presence of an enemy submersible in the area is suspected. According to the German press, the beacons can locate and follow underwater the submarines.
For emergency situations, German P-8A aircraft will be equipped with five MK 54 American torpedoes.
The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also announced that the aircraft will be equipped with British Torpile Sting Ray for submarine hunting. The maritime recognition aircraft could also be equipped with other weapon systems, such as antinaval missiles.
The P-8A will replace the P-3c Orion model within the Bundeswehr, which is outdated, the last two models to be removed soon.
The Bundestag Budget Commission approved the purchase of eight maritime recognition aircraft, the costs amounting to about 3.1 billion euros.
Experts from the German army do the last tests of the first device and after the completion of these will be taught, most likely next month, the Squadra 3 “Graf Zeppelin” in Northolz, Saxonia de Jos.
According to Der Spiegel magazine, until the end of the year will be delivered to the Bundesweh to two more P-8A aircraft, and the rest until 2029, a “record time” for a purchase of this magnitude, the German army appreciates.
