The UK Royal Air Force has deployed a P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft from the Kinloss Barracks base on August 13 to support border force operations in the English Channel.
This is part of a package of assistance from the defense ministry to the home office as they tackle small boats crossing in the channel.
The defense secretary has also authorized the use of the Shadow R1 aircraft. Both the P-8 Poseidon and the Shadow R1 will provide further essential support to the UK border force over the coming weeks subject to weather conditions and the border force’s requirements.
The aircraft will track vessels and pass information to the border force who will then take any appropriate further action. This task was initially under-taken on Monday by an Atlas A-400M aircraft, which flew from RAF Brize Norton to provide surveillance.
The P-8 Poseidon is a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft. It is equipped with a maritime search radar and delivers a highly-sophisticated search and tracking capability. The Shadow R1 is an intelligence gathering aircraft and is equipped with electro optical and infra-red sensors.
The Poseidon made its operational debut last week supporting the Royal Navy in tracking a Russian vessel close to UK waters.
