US defense and aerospace giant Boeing has delivered the first of nine Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to the UK armed forces.

The aircraft, with military registration ZP801, was handed over in a ceremony in Seattle that was attended by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel.

An RAF crew will start training on the aircraft at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida before it arrives at Lossiemouth early next year.

Flown by the 120 Squadron, the Poseidon will be equipped for anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions.

In addition to the UK, the aircraft is being procured by Australia, India, US, Norway, New Zealand and South Korea.