The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon (www.boeing.com) for the Royal Air Force made its inaugural flight last month (in the USA), and key tests took place duringthe 90min flight.

UK Ministry of Defence and RAF personnel were on hand to witness the take-off and landing of the recently painted aircraft, number ZP801.

Air Commodore Richard Barrow said: “This is a great milestone in the UK P-8A Poseidon’s journey, as we are one step closer to its arrival in Scotland.

“The platform will enhance the UK’s maritime patrol capability with advanced ‘state of the art’ technology.”

The RAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet will support maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship warfare; it will also protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent and its Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

The first of nine P-8As ordered by the UK now moves to the P-8 Installation and Checkout facility in Tukwila, where the mission systems will be installed.

When the aircraft is delivered, it will first fly to US Naval Air Station Jacksonville for the training of UK personnel, before flying to the UK in early 2020.

The UK is one of six international customers for the P-8A Poseidon. India has received eight of the P-8I variant to date, with four more in production.

The US Navy is on contract to receive 111, with the potential for more (based on the fleet’s needs).

Australia began receiving its P-8A aircraft in 2016, with eight delivered so far and four more in production. Norway will begin receiving its five P-8As in 2022.

New Zealand and South Korea have signed agreements to purchase four and six aircraft respectively.