Commemorative Photo in front of the P-8A Poseidon (ROK Navy Photo)

ROK Navy’s New P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft Arrive In South Korea

The first three P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) on order for the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy arrived in South Korea.

ROK Navy Press Release – translation by T.I.N.

On June 19th, three of the latest P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, known as the world’s greatest ‘submarine hunters,’ arrived at the ROK Navy’s Naval Air Command in Pohang.

The three P-8A Poseidon that arrived that day were part of the acquisition plan initiated in September 2018. Boeing produced six units by 2023. After being received and having the operational crew complete their overseas training, the aircraft arrived in South Korea.

To commemorate the P-8A’s arrival in Korean operational waters, a P-3 maritime patrol aircraft conducted a synchronized flight with the P-8A. This joint flight symbolized the safe arrival of the P-8A from the United States and the commitment to flawlessly safeguard Korean waters from the skies.

The P-3 pilots communicated with the P-8A pilots over operational waters, extending their welcome, and the P-8A pilots responded by expressing their commitment to achieving the highest level of combat readiness and fulfilling their maritime defense mission through future force integration.

The P-8A, is the latest maritime patrol aircraft that can perform missions such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and maritime patrol operations. Compared to the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft mainly used by the ROK Navy, the P-8A boasts a higher maximum speed and an extended operational range.

The P-8A is equipped with advanced surveillance and reconnaissance equipment including a long-range X-band radar capable of detecting sea targets hundreds of kilometers away, and digital electro-optical (EO) / infrared (IR) equipment capable of high-resolution imaging and detection of targets within tens of kilometers, as well as electronic warfare equipment.

Additionally, the P-8A is armed with air-to-surface missiles capable of precisely striking maritime targets and torpedoes for targeting submarines underwater. It can carry over 120 sonobuoys, which are used to detect, identify, and track enemy submarine signals.

The procurement of the P-8A will significantly strengthen the ROK Navy’s aerial anti-submarine warfare capabilities against North Korean submarines, improve rapid response capabilities in future maritime operations, and expand surveillance capabilities over our waters. Furthermore, operating the same type of maritime patrol aircraft as the U.S. Navy will enable seamless joint maritime aviation operations, enhancing interoperability.

Three additional P-8As are scheduled to arrive on June 30^th, and the ROK Navy plans to hold a delivery ceremony at the Naval Air Command on July 4. After a year of force integration training and capability assessments, they are planned to be deployed for operations by mid-2025.