Airbus signs new study contract to define France’s future maritime patrol aircraft
Paris, 4 February 2025 – The French Defence Procurement Agency, known as the Direction Générale de l’Armement, has formalized a contract with Airbus Defence and Space, which will serve as the prime contractor in conjunction with Thales. This engagement involves a 24-month risk-assessment study for the forthcoming maritime patrol aircraft program, succeeding an architecture and feasibility study initiated at the close of 2022.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President and Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “The A321 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) possesses all the attributes necessary to evolve into a genuine flying frigate capable of addressing the wide spectrum of missions assigned to the French maritime patrol.” He emphasized that Airbus offers a sovereign solution boasting the autonomy, availability, and reliability essential for the oceanic component of France’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
This new definition study and risk-assessment contract aims to lay the groundwork for the development and production launch of the maritime patrol aircraft program by the end of 2026. The study will build upon the initial findings of the architecture assessment, further refining both the economic and industrial parameters for the program’s execution, guiding the technical selections for the onboard systems, and facilitating preliminary wind-tunnel tests.
Designed to fulfill all operational mandates of the French Navy, primarily in anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, the A321 MPA represents a militarized iteration of the Airbus A321XLR. The French Navy is anticipating the replacement of its Atlantique 2 fleet, operated from the Lann-Bihoué naval air base in France, by the 2030-2040 horizon.
The A321 MPA is expected to feature long-range and high-manoeuvrability capabilities, even at low altitudes. The platform will be outfitted with an extensive array of sensors tailored for maritime patrol operations. Significant contributions from Thales include state-of-the-art radar with active antennas, an acoustic system utilizing both passive and active sonar buoys, electronic and electro-optical warfare systems, magnetic anomaly detection (MAD), and self-protection systems.
The aircraft will also integrate comprehensive communications systems, including satellite communications, and will be armed with necessary munitions for anti-submarine and anti-ship operations, such as torpedoes and the forthcoming future anti-ship missile (FMAN). A spacious cargo bay coupled with an open architecture mission system ensures that the A321 MPA will possess the adaptability to address emerging threats throughout its lifecycle.
The A321 MPA’s foundations are bolstered by the remarkable success of the A320 Family, recognized as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft, with over 10,000 units in service and exceeding 300 million flight hours. This legacy guarantees the A321 MPA’s proven availability, reliability, and low maintenance costs.
Airbus Defence and Space carries significant experience in transitioning commercial aircraft to military roles, exemplified by the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)—which commands over 90% of the global market, excluding the United States. The company also showcases extensive expertise in the integration of sensors and mission systems across the P3, C295, and CN235 aircraft, with more than 170 units operational in diverse maritime patrol and surveillance configurations.
@AirbusDefence
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2025-02-04)
