GERMAN NAVY MAKES WELCOME RETURN
Making a welcome return to the Air Tattoo this summer will be a P-3C Orion from the German Navy.
The aircraft, which made its UK airshow debut last year as part of the Deutsche Marine, performs land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare roles.
Also taking part will be a German Navy Mk88A Super Sea Lynx, which operate from F122 and F123 class frigates, carrying out a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and troop and cargo transport. The aircraft were built at GKN Westland Helicopters factory in Yeovil, UK and entered service with the German Navy in 1999.
Both aircraft, which will be on static display as part of the Air Tattoo's operational theme STAR 11 (Strike, Attack and Reconnaissance), are based with the German Navy's Marinefliegergeschwader 3 'Graf Zeppelin', at Naval Air Station Nordholz, north of Bremen.
The German P-3Cs were bought from the Netherlands Navy Maritime Patrol in 2006 to succeed the obsolete Breguet Atlantiques. In addition to the German Navy, the P-3 Orion is in use by numerous navies and air forces around the world including Japan, Greece, the US and Pakistan. Their primarily roles are maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare operations.
Aircraft Operations Deputy Director Rob Windsor said he was delighted the German Navy would be present at RIAT on the 40th anniversary of the event.
"The German Navy has supported the airshow for many years and has helped our event gain its excellent reputation worldwide. We are extremely grateful."
