Germany – Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) has begun delivering Boeing 737-based foundational training for the German Navy’s first cohort of P-8A Poseidon pilots, marking a major expansion of LAT’s military-training portfolio and strengthening its long-standing partnership with the German Armed Forces. The programme officially commenced on 18 November 2025 at LAT’s Berlin-Schönefeld training centre, supported by senior military, political and industry leadership.
- The training kick-off event was attended by Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Captain at Sea Broder Nielsen, Commander of the Naval Air Command; and Matthias Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa Aviation Training.
- LAT will provide German naval pilots with a Boeing 737 Type Rating, forming the essential qualification baseline for P-8A Poseidon operations. The six-week programme integrates full-flight simulator training, theoretical instruction, and procedural exercises.
- The P-8A Poseidon—recently delivered to the German Navy—is a multi-role maritime aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, surface-target engagement, and long-range search-and-rescue missions.
- LAT’s Berlin hub now forms part of a dual-nation training pathway, with U.S.-based ASEC providing complementary qualification programmes aligned with U.S. Navy standards.
- ASEC selected LAT as its German training partner to supply 737NG type-rating instruction, along with extensive 737NG simulator time required for advanced P-8A qualification and crew-readiness development.
- The programme supports Germany’s broader Zeitenwende defence modernisation, with the Lufthansa Group positioned as an integrated defence-industry partner: LAT for military pilot training and Lufthansa Technik for P-8A technical support.
Statements
- “I am delighted that Lufthansa has secured another significant and long-term contract with the German Armed Forces… Lufthansa Aviation Training will prepare these crews for their missions at our state-of-the-art training center in Berlin.”Matthias Spohr, CEO, Lufthansa Aviation Training
- “Only by standing united in Germany and Europe can we strengthen our defense capabilities… The fact that the German Navy’s pilots are now completing part of their training in our city demonstrates that the Bundeswehr is firmly anchored in Berlin.”Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin
- “ASEC is honored to support the German Navy’s transition… From our first engagement with LAT, it was clear they were fully committed to developing the highest-caliber P-8A pilots.”Mark Bunn, Vice President, ASEC
About Lufthansa Aviation Training Lufthansa Aviation Training GmbH (LAT) is one of the leading providers of flight training worldwide, with expertise in the education and training of cockpit and cabin crews at ten training centers globally. Headquartered at Munich Airport, LAT employs around 800 staff across all locations. Its customer portfolio includes more than 250 renowned national and international airlines, including Lufthansa Group carriers. LAT operates nearly 200 training devices, including training aircraft for pilot education, simulators for all common aircraft types, and emergency and service mock-ups for cabin crew training. Under the European Flight Academy (EFA) brand, Lufthansa Aviation Training consolidates the Lufthansa Group’s flight schools. Source: Lufthansa Aviation Training
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