The Armed Forces have received the new surveillance aircraft P-8A Poseidon. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says that the new aircraft will strengthen Norway’s capacity in the north.

“P8 is a formidable platform for monitoring our sea areas. A completely new and strengthened capacity that gives Norwegian and allied civilian and military authorities a better basis for understanding (the situation) and decision making,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) said in a speech at Evenes airport on Tuesday.

Støre made the speech during the celebration of the takeover of the Armed Forces’ new surveillance aircraft P-8A Poseidon. Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen (SP) and Chief of the Air Force Rolf Folland were also present.

“Crucial to our safety”

In 2017, Norway entered into an agreement for the procurement of five P-8 aircraft from the US authorities. By 2025, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) will deliver all five aircraft and the necessary related equipment to the Armed Forces. The plan is for the new aircraft to take over the tasks that were carried out by P-3 for over 60 years already during 2023. 

The new maritime surveillance aircraft will monitor Norway’s vast sea areas in the years to come.

“The surveillance aircraft is an important part of the government’s goal of strengthening defense capabilities in Northern Norway,” Støre said on Tuesday.

He pointed out that the new aircraft are important for emergency preparedness in the north. They will gather information on military activity in Norway’s immediate areas.

Based on civilian Boeing aircraft

Norway is one of eight countries that have chosen P-8A Poseidon as their new maritime patrol aircraft.

The aircraft is based on the civilian passenger aircraft Boeing 737 with upgrades and adaptations for military use. The planes also make it easier to detect submarines.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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