RNZAF P-8 Poseidon fires anti-ship Harpoon missiles for the first time

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has successfully conducted its first live AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launch from a Boeing P-8A Poseidon during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, marking a significant milestone in the development of the fleet's full operational capability.

One of the RNZAF’s P-8A Poseidons with it’s internal weapons bay doors open before carrying out a simulated life raft drop at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

Operating alongside Royal Australian Air Force and United States Navy P-8A Poseidons near Guam, the No. 5 Squadron aircraft detected, identified and engaged a decommissioned target ship, successfully firing two AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, both of which struck the target. The live-fire serial formed part of a coordinated sinking exercise involving aircraft, ships and submarines from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.

While the P-8A is primarily employed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue, fisheries protection and anti-submarine warfare, the successful missile firing demonstrates the aircraft's ability to deliver a precision anti-surface strike capability should circumstances require it.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott described the launch as "a significant step forward for the RNZAF with the first successful launch of air-to-surface missiles by our P-8A."

He added that while the capability is intended as part of the Defence Force's readiness rather than as a routine operation, it remains an essential skill to maintain. "As with all weapons, it is hoped they wouldn't need to be used. But part of military readiness is having the ability to do so if called upon and this is not something you can generate overnight."

Scott also highlighted the importance of allied cooperation in rebuilding the capability, noting that New Zealand "would not have been able to rebuild so quickly without the support of our Australian and US partners."

The P-8 Poseidon performing a high speed low pass at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024, the Poseidon is capable of flying at speeds up to 340 knots at sea level | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

The exercise also showcased the extensive preparation required to achieve the milestone, with Poseidon captain Squadron Leader Michael Craies crediting the wider RNZAF team behind the successful firing. "The first successful Harpoon firing from our P-8A is a testament to our armament, maintenance, and logistics personnel."

Craies added that the coordinated engagement involving RNZAF and US Navy Poseidons demonstrated the high level of interoperability now achieved between partner air forces during complex maritime operations.

The Harpoon firing follows another significant weapons milestone achieved by the RNZAF's P-8A fleet earlier this year, when crews successfully completed conflict-zone training employing the Mk 54 lightweight torpedo. That training validated the aircraft's anti-submarine warfare mission, with crews detecting, tracking and conducting simulated attacks against submarines using sonobuoys and Mk 54 torpedoes under realistic operational conditions.

Together, the Harpoon and Mk 54 weapon systems demonstrate the growing maturity of New Zealand's P-8A capability, ensuring the aircraft can fulfil the full spectrum of maritime patrol tasks—from surveillance and humanitarian assistance through to anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare—while operating seamlessly alongside allied forces across the Indo-Pacific.