Airbus Signs Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft Contract

The French Navy’s Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) has moved a step closer with the signing of a new contract between the DGA, the French Defence Procurement Agency, and prime contractor Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Thales.

The 24-month risk assessment study is a follow-on contract from the initial feasibility study commissioned at the end of 2022 for an aircraft based on Airbus’ A321 platform.

The new two-year programme will enable the partnership to prepare the groundwork for the MPA’s potential production launch at the close of 2026.

Work involved will include making choices over the technical systems to be integrated on the new platform, and initial wind-tunnel tests.

As per a recent Airbus press statement, the A321 MPA, a militarised variant of the Airbus A321XLR, will boast anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare capabilities and is intended as a replacement for the French Navy’s Atlantique 2 fleet.

The new aircraft would operate out of the Lann-Bihoué (France) naval air base just south of Quimper on France’s Atlantic coast; they are scheduled to become operational between 2030 and 2040.

Thales will provide the sensor suite for the aircraft, including next-generation radar with active antennae; an acoustic system using passive and active sonar buoys; electronic and electro-optical warfare systems; magnetic anomaly detection (MAD), and self-protection systems.

The new planes could also carry weapons, including torpedoes and the future anti-ship missile (FMAN). 

Executive Vice President, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space Jean-Brice Dumont commented: “The A321 MPA has all the assets to become a true flying frigate capable of responding to the wide range of missions entrusted to the French maritime patrol.”

He added: “Airbus offers a sovereign solution that provides the autonomy, availability and reliability required to contribute to the oceanic component of the nuclear deterrence.”

• You can read more details on the Airbus website