Leonardo will supply four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence, providing the capabilities needed to cope with modern submarine and sea surface threats, to guarantee effective Search and Rescue (SAR) services and to perform transport and airdrop missions. Deliveries to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, which becomes the 21st operator of the type globally, are expected to start in 2029.
Leonardo press release
This significant achievement confirms the strong bond between Leonardo and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, increasing the number of C-27Js ordered by KSA users, following the recent (Summer 2025) in-country acquisition of two units dedicated to firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation tasks. It also marks the first time the C- 27J MPA is procured with maritime weapon system integration capability. A further evidence of the platform’s versatility, able to uniquely combine transport, disaster response and multi-domain surveillance capabilities.
The C-27J program benefits from the continued investments in expanding the aircraft missions, improving its performance and embedding the most advanced technologies, so as to provide task-oriented, customer-tailored solutions, able to meet the most challenging requirements from prime users.
C-27J Spartan Next Generation and MPA variant
The C-27J MPA retains all the features and capabilities of the C-27J Spartan Next Generation platform, including its state-of-the-art avionics, navigation, communication, identification and self-protection systems, enabling seamless, safe and low workload operations in all weather and lighting conditions, both in military and civil controlled airspaces, also in high threat scenarios.
For the specific purpose of guaranteeing multi-domain surveillance capabilities, the C-27J MPA integrates a dedicated mission suite, including sensors optimized for detection, identification and tracking of surface and submarine targets, managed by an advanced mission management system (the Leonardo Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance system) with data fusion capabilities. A complete communication system allows real time data sharing with control centres and secures cooperation with other units, also in Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) conditions. Moreover, in addition to its maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities, the C-27J MPA can carry a significant weapons payload to counter multiple threats, including torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and depth charges in accordance with the specific mission needs.
By removing the mission management system consoles and other components of the mission suite, the C-27J MPA cabin can be easily reconfigured to perform the transport, airdrop and medical evacuation missions typical of the baseline C-27J Spartan Next Generation, providing the Customer with unparalleled flexibility. C-27Js for maritime roles are already in service with the US Coast Guard.
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Naval News comments:
During World Defense Show 2026, WASS Submarine Systems, signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at WDS 2026 for the supply of MU90 lightweight torpedoes. Some of the torpedoes included in this packages are likely meant to go on the newly ordered MPAs.
