Another rare New Zealand Air Force deployment

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has deployed a P-3K2 Orion of 5 Squadron "Keitou Kalawaca Na Wasaliwa" from home base Whenuapai air base (New Zealand) to Kadena air base (Japan).

The rare deployment takes places in support of the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, imposing sanctions against North Korea (to persuade the regime to denuclearise and abandon its ballistic missile capabilities).

Flights of the P-3K2 will be focussed on illicit ship-to-ship transfers at sea of sanctioned goods in international waters near North Korea.

Back in September 2018 and October 2019, the RNZAF carried out likewise deployments. The RNZAF operates with six P-3K2s, five former US Navy and one former Australian aircraft. The New Zealand government signed a contract, worth USD 1,5 billion, for four Boeing P-8A Poseidons back in April 2020. First deliveries are expected in April 2023, and that will mark the start of the retirement of the eldery P-3K2s. The RNZAF expects that the P-8s will achief Initial Operationing Capability in July 2023, and Full Operating Capability with all four aircraft by 2025.

Photo: Lieuwe Hofstra (photo illustrative for the aircraft type, kindly provided via AirHistory.net)