US approves Poseidon sale to Denmark

Seen in US Navy service, the Poseidon has now been approved for sale to Denmark. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US government has approved the sale of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft (MMA) to Denmark.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the US Department of State approval on 29 December, saying the estimated USD1.8 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) acquisition covers three aircraft, as well as related equipment, training, support, and other items. Weapons were not included in the approval.

“The proposed sale will enhance Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations. The proposed sale will support its goal of improving national and territorial defence as well as interoperability with US and NATO forces,” the DSCA said of the approval, which must first be cleared by Congress before a contract can be signed.

With the greatest maximum take-off weight of any dedicated MMA on the market (85,139 kg), the P-8A is primarily equipped with the Raytheon AN/APY-10 maritime surveillance radar and the L-3 Wescam MX-20HD digital electro-optic/infrared sensors. It has the capacity for 126 sonobuoys and can carry the full panoply of anti-submarine and anti-surface weaponry in its internal weapons bay as well as on underwing hardpoints. In the main cabin, there is provision for seven mission crew members at six workstations, although there is plenty of room and the necessary power and cooling for expansion.