South Korea began flying its fleet of P-8A maritime patrol aircraft—acquired from its ally the United States—to counter North Korea’s navy, including its destroyers and submarines.
The P-8A is capable of conducting anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. South Korea received all six maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing in June 2024.
Newsweek has contacted the North Korean Embassy in China for comment via email.
Why It Matters
South Korea, known officially as the Republic of Korea (ROK), hosts about 28,500 U.S. military personnel to deter provocations and attacks from nuclear-armed North Korea as both sides technically remain in a state of war following the conclusion of an armistice—but not a peace treaty—after the Korean War.
In addition to developing its nuclear forces, North Korea—under the leadership of Kim Jong Un—has been modernizing its conventional military power, including launching two 5,000-ton destroyers and a missile-armed submarine, as it seeks to establish a “world level” navy.
What To Know
Citing military officials, Yonhap News Agency of South Korea reported that the country’s P-8A maritime patrol aircraft—operated by the navy—began deployment last Thursday following the completion of preparations, including flight exercises and personnel training.
The aircraft, also known as Poseidon, is tasked with detecting North Korean submarine fleet, according to South Korean military officials, as it is capable of being armed with sonobuoys and torpedoes, which are designed to detect, identify, track and attack underwater targets.
Boeing, which manufactures the aircraft, said an upgrade was being installed on the Poseidon operated by the U.S. Navy, enabling it to counter the world’s most advanced submarines. It remains unclear whether the upgrade will also be applied to South Korea’s Poseidon fleet.
The Poseidon is also capable of carrying missiles for anti-ship missions. According to the South Korean navy’s news release, the Boeing-made aircraft is equipped with a long-range radar, high-resolution imaging and detection equipment, and electronic warfare systems.
The P-8A fleet is scheduled to replace the South Korean navy’s aging P-3C patrol aircraft, which flies slower and has a shorter range. In late May, one of the P-3C aircraft crashed in the southeastern city of Pohang during a training flight, killing all four crew members.
Australia, India and New Zealand are three Indo-Pacific countries that also operate the Poseidon, according to Boeing.
What People Are Saying
South Korea’s navy said in a news release in June 2024: “The procurement of the P-8A will significantly strengthen the ROK Navy’s aerial anti-submarine warfare capabilities against North Korean submarines, improve rapid response capabilities in future maritime operations, and expand surveillance capabilities over our waters.”
Boeing said on its website: “The P-8 Poseidon offers the size, weight, power and cooling capacity to support evolving mission needs, including the integration of additional mission systems to enhance operational versatility. The P-8’s open mission systems architecture means rapid, affordable technology insertion for decades of mission readiness.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether South Korea will make an additional purchase of the P-8A aircraft as North Korea continues to expand its navy.
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