SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) — The first batch of P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft is set to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday, the Navy said, with the multi-mission assets expected to strengthen South Korea’s anti-submarine capabilities against North Korean threats.
Three Boeing P-8A aircraft are scheduled to arrive at the Naval Air Command in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Wednesday afternoon, which will be followed by the delivery of another three P-8A aircraft on June 30, according to the Navy.
The P-8A is capable of conducting an array of missions, including anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Its maximum speed is 907 kilometers per hour, compared with 749 kilometers per hour of P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft currently in operation.
This photo, provided by the Navy on June 19, 2024, shows South Korean Navy pilots and their U.S. counterparts posing for a group photo following the first flight of South Korean Navy pilots on the P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft at a naval base in Jacksonville, Florida, on Oct. 10, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
It is armed with anti-ship guided missiles and torpedoes that can strike surface targets and submarines, as well as around 120 sonobuoys that can detect, identify and track enemy submarines, according to the Navy.
“The P-8A has made it possible for the Navy not only to enhance its anti-submarine capabilities against North Korean submarines but also to carry out strengthened maritime aviation operations through swift response and expanded surveillance capabilities,” the Navy said in a release.
The Navy also expected the introduction of the P-8A to enhance interoperability in joint maritime aviation operations with the U.S. Navy, which also operates the maritime patrol aircraft.
The Navy plans to deploy the P-8A next year following a yearlong training and evaluation of its operational capabilities.
mlee@yna.co.kr
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