Saudi Arabia to Become First Operator of Leonardo C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Leonardo has won a contract to supply four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia, making it the first operator of C-27J in MPA configuration.

The C-27J-MPA will be used by the Saudi Arabian Navy to counter submarine and surface threats,  conduct search and rescue missions, and perform transport and airdrop duties.

Deliveries to the Saudi Arabian Navy will begin in 2029, Leonardo announced today.

The contract with the Saudi Arabian Navy also represents the first C-27J acquisition program to include integrated weapons for maritime deployments.

The C-27J Spartan Next Generation MPA variant features

The C-27J MPA features a dedicated mission suite, with sensors optimized for the detection, identification, and tracking of surface and underwater targets. This is all managed by an advanced mission system (Leonardo Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) capable of fusing collected and available data.

A comprehensive communications system allows real-time data sharing with control centers and ensures cooperation with other units, even beyond visual range.

In addition to its maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities, the C-27J MPA can carry weapons systems to counter multiple threats, including torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges, depending on mission requirements.

By removing the mission management system consoles and other components, the C-27J MPA cabin can be easily reconfigured to perform transport, airdrop, and medical evacuation missions typically performed by the C-27J Spartan Next Generation.