Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
ROK Navy holds ceremony to mark delivery of P-8A maritime patrol aircraft
Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, sixth from left, and Adm. Yang Yong-mo, center, chief of Naval Operations, pose with other military and government officials during a ceremony to mark the delivery of six P-8A Poseidon aircraft at the Naval Aviation Command in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Courtesy of ROK Navy
By Lee Hyo-jin
A ceremony was held on Thursday to mark the completion of delivery to Korea of six P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, at Naval Aviation Command in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, according to the ROK Navy.
The new P-8A fleet, which will replace the aging P-3 fleet, is expected to significantly enhance the ROK Navy's readiness against the threat of North Korea's advancing nuclear capabilities.
The delivery ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. Ha Seong-wook, commander of Naval Aviation Command, was attended by major military officials including Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo, as well as key figures from related organizations and institutions such as Seok Jong-geon, chief of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok.
Around 200 people attended the ceremony, including the P-8A crew and Naval Aviation Command personnel.
"The P-8A will be a key asset in neutralizing enemy submarines, and become a strong pillar of the sea-based Korean three-axis system by significantly contributing to South Korea's security preparedness," Ha said in his commemorative speech.
The commander added that the Navy plans to deploy the aircraft in mid-2025 following a year-long training and evaluation of its operational capabilities.
Thursday's event also featured an aircraft tail number designation ceremony conducted by Adm. Yang and a commendation ceremony for Navy officials who were involved in acquiring and accepting the aircraft, presented by the defense minister.
Following the ceremony, Shin ordered the inaugural flight of the P-8A piloted by Lieutenant Commander Lee Seong-hee.
The P-8A Poseidon, manufactured by U.S. aircraft giant Boeing, is a derivative of the Boeing 737 airliner.
With a maximum speed of 907 kph, the aircraft boasts a maximum flight duration of 10 hours and can carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and other weaponry crucial for maritime warfare. It can also engage in a wide range of patrol missions, as it is equipped with high-end sensor radar systems.
In 2018, the South Korean government signed a deal with the U.S. government to purchase six P-8s to replace its aging P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft. They were manufactured at Boeing's factory in Renton, Seattle, in 2023.
Three of the aircraft arrived in South Korea on June 19 and the remaining three arrived on June 30. Prior to the delivery, South Korea's Navy personnel underwent approximately 16 months of operational training in the U.S.
P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft are stationed at Naval Aviation Command in this photo provided by the ROK Navy, Thursday. Courtesy of ROK Navy