Germany backs 1.4 billion euro purchase of Boeing maritime patrol aircraft – source

By Alistair Smout and Sarah Young Posted on June 23, 2021

A U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft takes part in the Malta International Airshow at SmartCity Malta outside Kalkara

BERLIN (Reuters) – The German parliament’s budget committee on Wednesday approved the 1.4 billion euro purchase of five Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, a parliamentary source said.

The planes are designed for submarine hunting and conducting long-distance maritime reconnaissance. They will replace Germany’s ageing fleet of Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Hans Seidenstuecker and Madeline Chambers)