The French Defense Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement – DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space, with Thales as a key partner, to develop a successor to the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft.
This agreement marks the start of a 24-month risk-assessment study for the future maritime patrol aircraft (MPA/Patmar) program, building on the architecture and feasibility study initiated in late 2022. The Patmar program aims to replace France’s fleet of 18 Atlantique 2 (ATL2) aircraft by 2030.
“The A321 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) 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,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “Airbus offers a sovereign solution that provides the autonomy, availability and reliability required to contribute to the oceanic component of the nuclear deterrence.”
The newly launched study will refine the economic and industrial parameters essential for the program’s development, paving the way for production launch by the end of 2026. It will build on the initial findings from the previous architectural study, define the integration of technical systems, and conduct wind-tunnel tests.
A321 MPA: Capabilities and mission scope
The A321 MPA is based on the Airbus A321XLR platform, which was certified in July 2024 and entered service with Iberia on November 6, 2024. While the commercial A321XLR has an 11-hour flight endurance well-suited for maritime patrols, the airframe must be modified to meet operational requirements for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, particularly by enhancing its maneuverability, including at low altitudes.
The system will feature a range of advanced sensors from Thales, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an acoustic system utilizing both passive and active sonar buoys, and electronic and electro-optical warfare technologies. Additionally, it will be equipped with a magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) sensor and self-protection systems.
The aircraft will also incorporate communication systems such as satellite communications and be armed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare with torpedoes and the future anti-ship missile (FMAN). These weapons will be stored in a large ammunition bay beneath the fuselage.
First unveiled at the Euronaval 2024 trade show in Paris, the aircraft is expected to replace the aging Atlantique 2 fleet at Lann-Bihoué naval air base between 2030 and 2040. French authorities have yet to announce the contract award officially. In November 2024, unconfirmed reports suggested that the French Ministry of the Armed Forces had selected Airbus Defence & Space over Dassault Aviation.
Dassault Aviation had proposed a militarized version of its Falcon 10X business jet, highlighting its speed, agility, and extensive experience in maritime surveillance. Dassault has a strong track record in the field, with its Falcon 10, 20, and 50 aircraft already engaged in maritime operations. However, French authorities reportedly favored Airbus’ A321XLR due to its superior payload capacity despite its higher cost.
Airbus Defence and Space has a proven history in military aircraft conversions, particularly with the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) based on the A330 airliner.
