Joint Use of POSEIDONs in Europe will Increase Operational Effectiveness
On 25 January, UK Minister for Defence Procurement Harriet Baldwin and US Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work signed a “Declaration on P-8A POSEIDON Bilateral Cooperation,” which aims to further strengthen the uniquely close defence relationship between the two nations.
Britain is due to receive the first of its nine Boeing P-8As in 2019: the two nations commit to deepen defence cooperation when operating in the North Atlantic and to seek opportunities to share logistics and support bases (including RAF Lossiemouth, where the aircraft will secure some 400 new jobs), optimising the use of the new maritime patrol aircraft, especially in Europe, thus ensuring increased value for money and operational effectiveness.
“As leading members of NATO, the UK and US are committed to the collective defence of each other and their Allies. We have also pledged to deepen defence cooperation, bilaterally and within the Alliance, to further improve the ability to operate together in exercises and operations,” Baldwin said in a statement.
Air Cdre. Ian Gale, Senior Responsible Owner for the POSEIDON P-8A programme, said: “This agreement will enhance the UK’s maritime patrol capability and further strengthen UK-US defence relations. The arrival of the POSEIDON P-8A in 2019 will provide the UK with significantly increased capabilities and bring hi-tech employment to Scotland and the wider UK.”
