Airbus Signs New Study Contract To Define France’s Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Airbus Secures New Patrol Aircraft Contract

The French Defence Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has entered into a 24-month contract with Airbus Defence and Space, the primary contractor partnering with Thales, to carry out a risk assessment for the upcoming maritime patrol aircraft program. This contract expands on the architecture and feasibility study that began in late 2022.

“The A321 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) possesses all the elements necessary to transform it into a genuine flying frigate, able to address the diverse missions assigned to the French maritime patrol,” explained Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President and Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space.

“Airbus provides a sovereign solution that ensures the autonomy, availability, and reliability needed to support the oceanic component of nuclear deterrence.”

This new definition study and risk-assessment contract aims to prepare for the development and production initiation of the maritime patrol aircraft programme by the end of 2026. This study will build on the preliminary findings from the architecture study to enhance the economic and industrial parameters necessary for executing the programme, inform the technical decisions regarding systems integration on the aircraft, and facilitate initial wind tunnel testing.

The A321 MPA is a militarized variant of the Airbus A321XLR, designed to fulfil all operational needs of the French Navy, primarily focusing on anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare across various intensities, as well as intelligence gathering. The goal is to introduce a new aircraft to succeed the Atlantique 2 fleet currently used by the French Navy from the Lann-Bihoué (France) naval air base by 2030-2040.

The A321 MPA will be long-range and highly manoeuvrable, even at low altitudes. It will be equipped with a range of sensors tailored for maritime patrol operations, with Thales providing significant technology: radar with active antennas, an acoustic system utilizing both passive and active sonar buoys, electronic and electro-optical warfare capabilities, magnetic anomaly detection (MAD), and self-protection systems.

Additionally, it will be equipped with communication systems, including satellite communications, along with necessary munitions for anti-submarine and anti-ship missions, such as torpedoes and the future anti-ship missile (FMAN). Its spacious cargo bay and modular mission system architecture will afford it significant adaptability throughout its lifecycle to meet emerging threats.

The success of the A320 Family—recognized as the world’s top-selling single-aisle aircraft with over 10,000 units in operation and exceeding 300 million flight hours—ensures that the A321 MPA will have established availability, reliability, and low maintenance costs.

Airbus Defence and Space has extensive experience transforming commercial aircraft into military variants. This is exemplified by the achievement of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which commands over 90% of the global market (excluding the United States). The company also possesses considerable knowledge of incorporating sensors and mission systems on the P3, C295, and CN235 aircraft, with more than 170 units deployed in various maritime patrol and surveillance roles.