In an exclusive interview with Tim Flood, Boeing’s senior director for defence business development in Europe with AI, he promoted its B737 New Generation-based military platforms, the E-7 Wedgetail and P-8A Poseidon, at Farnborough.
He said it was unfortunate that the USAF E-7A programme had stalled in 2025, which led NATO to choose the GlobalEye as its E-3A AEW&C replacement—an option he believed to be less capable than the E-7A. He highlighted that this type has a record of successful operations with the air forces of Türkiye, South Korea, and especially Australia, which has deployed its Wedgetails since 2009.
The RAF selected the E-7A to replace its E-3A Sentry fleet, initially ordering five Wedgetails, which was later reduced to three. These are currently undergoing conversion at STS Aviation Group’s UK facility in Birmingham, where two prototype E-7As for the US Air Force are also being worked on. Another five pre-production aircraft will be produced in the United States. Despite the challenges of bringing the RAF E-7A into operational service, Tim Flood expressed confidence that the RAF would acquire another two aircraft in the future.
He also praised the virtues of the P-8A Poseidon, which has been acquired by four European countries, the latest being Denmark. Most of these aircraft have been upgraded to P-8A Increment 3 Block 2 to improve networking, processing power, communications, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
He was joined at Farnborough by the Commander of German Naval Aviation, Capt. Broder Nielsen, who said that only nine months after the first P-8A was delivered, it had deployed to India, said that the Poseidon was fully operational from day one. He added that the navy was seeking air-launched effects, such as the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile, in the future, to provide a long-range strike capability it has lacked since its Tornadoes were transferred to the Luftwaffe.
Tim Flood told ARMADA International that he expects increased P-8A sales across Europe, particularly in Italy, along with additional orders from existing clients. Germany may purchase the four further P-8As alongside the eight already ordered, with the first three imminent.
Europe remains a key focus for Boeing’s vertical-lift platforms following a significant order for the AH-64D Apache from Poland, the CH-47F Block II Chinook for Germany, and Mk.7s for the RAF, with Italy again considered a potential customer.
by David Oliver
