Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with Leonardo for four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft, becoming the first customer to procure the MPA version with integrated maritime weapon systems.
The aircraft will be capable of carrying naval armaments, with deliveries to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces expected from 2029 onward.
In operational service, the C-27J MPAs will undertake a broad range of tasks, including maritime domain awareness, search-and-rescue missions, tactical transport, and airdrop operations.
The order complements Saudi Arabia’s earlier 2025 acquisition of two C-27Js configured for firefighting, logistics, and medevac missions.
Advanced Maritime Configuration
Based on the C-27J Spartan tactical transport platform—operated globally by countries such as Italy, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States—the MPA variant incorporates specialized maritime surveillance systems.
The aircraft will be equipped with a mission suite designed to detect and track both surface vessels and submarines. This system is powered by Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance solution, which integrates and fuses sensor data for improved situational awareness.
The armed configuration may include MBDA’s Marte-ER anti-ship missile and MU90 lightweight torpedoes, as well as depth charges. Notably, the kingdom recently secured a separate contract exceeding €200 million for the procurement of MU90 torpedoes.
The platform also features advanced communications architecture to enable real-time information sharing across extended ranges. Despite its enhanced combat role, the MPA retains a flexible cabin layout that can be reconfigured for transport, cargo airdrop, or medical evacuation missions, preserving the versatility of the base aircraft.
