- On July 4, the Republic of Korea Navy hosted a ceremony at the Naval Air Command to receive six state-of-the-art P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
- After undergoing operational training, they will be deployed for operations by mid-2025 to conduct maritime reconnaissance, search, and anti-submarine missions.
◦ On the morning of July 4 (Thursday), the Navy held a ceremony at the Naval Air Command (Pohang, Gyeongbuk) to receive the state-of-the-art P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
◦ The ceremony, presided over by Rear Admiral Ha Seong-wook, the Commander of the Naval Air Command, was attended by Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, Chief of Naval Operations Yang Yong-mo, and other key military officials, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Seok Jong-geon, Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok, relevant agency and organization leaders, P-8A receiving crew, and about 200 Navy Air Command personnel.
◦ The ceremony proceeded with an opening speech, national anthem, progress report, aircraft identification number naming ceremony, award presentation, commemorative speech by the Naval Air Commander, and a congratulatory speech by the Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik.
◦ At the aircraft identification number naming ceremony, Chief of Naval Operations Yang Yong-mo named the six P-8A Poseidon aircraft with sequential serial numbers, 921, 922, 923, 925, 926, and 927, based on the P-series maritime patrol aircraft model number 09. Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik awarded commendations to Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jae-min, Major Kim Eun-ji, and Lieutenant Colonel Ha Seok-bong from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for their efforts in the acquisition and receipt of the P-8A.
◦ Rear Admiral Ha Seong-wook emphasized in his commemorative speech, "The P-8A is a key force that will neutralize enemy submarines and a solid pillar of the maritime-based Korean three-axis system, significantly contributing to Korea's security posture. We will establish the highest level of combat readiness during the approximately one-year power-up process, and if an enemy provokes us at sea, we will respond immediately, forcefully, and thoroughly to protect our waters."
◦ After the ceremony, Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik directed the first domestic flight of the P-8A 923. P-8A pilot Major Lee Seong-hee expressed his determination to "complete the first flight successfully and strive for operational readiness to destroy enemy submarines," and took off for the first domestic flight mission.
◦ Minister Shin, along with Chief of Naval Operations Yang Yong-mo and Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Seok Jong-geon, participated in a ceremony wishing for the mission accomplishment and flight safety of the P-8A, writing and signing phrases wishing for mission success and flight safety on a P-8A photo frame inscribed with the phrase "Protecting the seas of Korea from the skies."
◦ The decision to acquire the P-8A was made in September 2018, and a total of six aircraft were produced by Boeing in the United States by 2023. Three aircraft arrived in Korea on June 19 and 30, respectively. The acquisition and operational personnel received operational training in the United States for about 1 year and 4 months. The P-8A will undergo operational training for about a year and be deployed for operations starting mid-2025.
◦ The P-8A is a state-of-the-art maritime patrol aircraft capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, maritime reconnaissance, and search missions. It can be equipped with over 120 sonobuoys for detecting, identifying, and tracking enemy submarines, air-to-surface missiles for striking maritime targets, and torpedoes for attacking submarines.
◦ Additionally, the P-8A features long-range X-band radar, high-resolution digital electro-optical (EO)/infrared (IR) equipment, and electronic warfare equipment, enhancing detection capabilities compared to the currently operating P-3. The P-8A's maximum speed is faster, and its operational range is extended, further enhancing the Navy's aviation operational capabilities.
◦ Major Jeon Yong-wook, a pilot who received the P-8A, stated, "The soldiers of our Naval Air Command are taking off over the vast sea with a determination to dedicate ourselves to the people and national security. We will make our best efforts during the power-up period to ensure that the state-of-the-art P-8A maritime patrol aircraft can perform at its highest capabilities to protect our waters from the sky."