The German Armed Forces receives new Mk54 lightweight torpedoes from US manufacturer Raytheon for its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (-> Boeing: Bundeswehr buys even more reconnaissance aircraft). The procurement is taking place at government level between the German Federal Government and the US administration under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedure.
The US government – in this case represented by the US Navy (-> current reports on the US armed forces) – is authorized to purchase the combat and training torpedoes as well as the necessary accessories. The project was approved last week by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag.
The purchase of the torpedoes is being financed from the special fund and is part of the decision to introduce the new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing whose main task is to combat submarines in shallow waters. In addition, the torpedoes are already matched to the aircraft and are therefore fully integrated. The first delivery of the new torpedoes is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The provision of further services, such as the training of soldiers and the delivery of spare parts and launch kits, is planned for 2026 and 2027. https://militaeraktuell.at/bundesheer-black-hawk-sikorsky-kauf-offiziell/ Powered by an internal combustion engine, the torpedoes, which are around 2.70 meters long and weigh 276 kilograms, track and classify potential targets under water. In the event of combat, the warhead filled with explosives explodes on impact, destroying the enemy target.
Here for further reports on the Bundeswehr.
