Boeing has been awarded a contract worth approximately NZ$150 million to provide P-8A Poseidon training for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
The aircraft manufacturer was appointed by the United States Navy to work on a suite of training systems and courseware to prepare RNZAF aircrew and maintenance staff to safely and effectively operate and maintain the aircraft for decades to come.
Boeing's holistic P-8A training system will enable the RNZAF to conduct up to 70 percent of all Poseidon-related training in a simulated environment. As part of the contract, Boeing will provide training in areas such as full motion flight simulation, tactical weapons, virtual maintenance and scenario training.
Boeing also will provide initial Instructor Cadre Training to a group of RNZAF instructors, enabling them to continue training additional RNZAF P-8A instructors and aircrews following delivery of the training system in early 2024.
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"This holistic training system will enable aircrew to safely train for all aspects of flying and maintaining the P-8A Poseidon," Boeing's director of international defence training Tonya Noble said.
"We look forward to bringing these training capabilities in-country and working alongside the RNZAF to ensure readiness of aircrew and maintenance personnel."
All training will be conducted in Ohakea.
The RNZAF acquired four P-8A Poseidon aircraft through the US Navy in March, with expected delivery beginning in 2023. New Zealand is one of seven nations operating the P-8.
