Portugal Purchases 6 P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft From Germany
The Portuguese Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany for the purchase of 6 P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which are waiting to be decommissioned by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). The agreement between the parties was signed at the Portuguese Air Force Air Command Headquarters in Lisbon with the participation of high-level officials, including the German ambassador to Lisbon, Julia Monar, and the Portuguese Air Force Chief of Staff, General João Guilherme Rosado Cartaxo Alves.
Stating his thoughts about the sale after the signing ceremony, BAAINBw director Stefan Rauscher said, “The continued use of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft by our NATO partner is a sustainable and economical solution for both parties. It is very pleasing that we will continue to see the aircraft in flight operations in the future.”
The agreement, which is worth around 45 million Euros, comprises a flight and tactical simulator, mid-life upgrade kits in addition to P-3C Orion aircraft, according to a statement issued by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). These six maritime patrol aircraft along with related equipment, which are currently in service with Naval Aviation Squadron 3 “Graf Zeppelin” at Nordholz Air Base on Germany’s North Sea coast, will be delivered to Portugal at regular intervals until 2025. As a result, the Bundeswehr will have room for five new P-8A POSEIDON maritime patrol aircraft, which it ordered from American company Boeing in 2021 and plans to station in Nordholz starting in 2025.
With the aircraft received from Germany, the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea) will expand its fleet, which currently consists of five P-3C ORIONs. As a result, FAP will be able to provide much more stable air operations in the coming years, as well as strengthen its own capabilities within the NATO alliance. The aircraft in question will be operated by 601 Squadron “Lobos” (Esquadra 601) based at Beja Air Base.