The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of five Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to Germany for an estimated cost of $1.77 billion.
The US Congress was notified today of the possible sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency says on 12 March.
In addition to five P-8A aircraft, Berlin requested tactical open mission software, Wescam electro-optical and infrared MX-20HD sensors, Raytheon AN/APY-10 maritime, littoral and overland surveillance radar, Deagel ALQ-240 electronic support measures and BAE Systems AN/ALE-47 counter measures dispensing systems, among other subsystems, support equipment, maintenance equipment, training devices and spare parts.
Germany operates eight P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, with an average age 37.8 years, according to Cirium fleets analyser.
The $1.77 billion estimated price is not finalised as Germany has yet to officially select the aircraft and issue a contract. The estimated amount is typically higher than the final agreed upon price as most countries don’t select every available option within a sales package.