After the retirement of the Air Force's Lockheed P-3K2 Orion aircraft in early 2023, No. 5 Squadron is now operating four Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft. No.5 Squadron’s operational crews are pilots, air warfare officers and air warfare specialists.

Jul 1, 2023 · After four years preparing to operate and maintain the new Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, today is the day the new capability is formally released and becomes available for operational tasking.

The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security. It was developed for the United States Navy as a derivative of the civilian Boeing 737 Next Generation airliner.

Jul 17, 2023 · Boeing unveils the new paint job of the first of four P-8A Poseidons for Aotearoa, due to be delivered to New Zealand Ministry of Defence in December 2022. A video from Boeing on the journey of Aotearoa New Zealand's first P-8A as it's handed over before making its way to its new home with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Mar 1, 2022 · The P-8A Poseidon has been designed and purpose built to patrol maritime environments and monitor vessels on and below the surface. In 2018, the NZDF purchased 4 aircraft. The first was delivered in December 2022. Read Full Media Release

Dec 13, 2022 · An official ceremony to welcome Aotearoa New Zealand’s first P-8A Poseidon aircraft took place today (13 December 2022) at Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Ohakea.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will for the sixth time deploy a maritime patrol aircraft and specialist personnel to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea.

Jul 28, 2021 · When complete, the new facility being built at Base Ōhakea will be home to No. 5 Squadron and their four new Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Dec 14, 2022 · The new Boeing P8-A Poseidon arrived a day ahead of a welcome ceremony at Ōhakea Air Force base in Manawatū yesterday. It is scheduled to begin operating in January, and the remaining three are expected in New Zealand by May.

One of the first capabilities to be released in July 2023, when the new P-8A Poseidon became operational in New Zealand, was search and rescue.