I'm confused too, since last week they have an allocated aircraft, ZP806, they have an
OC, Wg Cdr Adam Smolak, who said they would 'stand up' during the summer, but I've seen no official statement in public that they have yet. I assume manning have arranged the necessary guys and gals. I understand the remaining aircraft are due by year end, the last first flew on 15 SEP.
N_a_B - a stand alone programme looms for France - surely that's how they like it
. I suppose an SPD/Greens led government in Berlin might try to back out of the P-8 deal.