Boeing has awarded Lufthansa Technik a contract to support sustainment services for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s future P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fleet.
The agreement stipulates the provision of Boeing’s Total Component Support (TCS), a service program that covers over 400 common parts and configurations intended for the P-8A commercial variant 737.
By leveraging TCS, Boeing expects to enhance the air force’s readiness rates. The approach will also expand market support and provide easier access to the global supply chain dedicated to more than 4,000 737 planes for customers with smaller P-8A fleets.
“Our collaboration with Lufthansa Technik is a strong example of how industry can work together to solve customer challenges and maintain high readiness rates,” Boeing Government Services Vice President and General Manager Torbjorn Sjogren said.
“Our goal is to expand service offerings from a strategic German industry partner for additional P-8A customers to benefit.”
‘Strong Partnership’
The agreement follows the debut of four P-8A Poseidons for the Royal New Zealand Air Force to replace the six P-3K2 Orions the service currently operates.
The first P-8A was delivered to the air force in December at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
“As a renowned expert for Special Mission aircraft and a leading maintenance, repair and overhaul provider with decades of experience in servicing commercial Boeing 737s, we are delighted to soon start servicing New Zealand’s Poseidon fleet,” Lufthansa Technik Special Aircraft Services Vice President Michael von Puttkamer explained.
“The strong partnership with Boeing enables us to offer the best possible service level over the entire life cycle of the aircraft.”
Boeing and Lufthansa Technik in Other Aircraft Programs
In 2021, the companies signed a memorandum of agreement to provide systems integration and sustainment work for Germany’s P-8A fleet. Munich-based defense service provider ESG Elektroniksystem und Logistik-GmbH joined the team in 2022.
“This new contract is a clear demonstration of our commitment to German industry and how we partner across the Atlantic and globally, shaping meaningful partnerships that ensure continued economic and industrial growth in Germany,” Boeing Germany President Michael Haidinger said.
Boeing and Lufthansa also sustain a Performance-Based Logistics program and related hardware support for Italian Air Force KC-767A tankers.
