Airbus signs study contract to define future maritime patrol aircraft for France
• The French Defence Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Thales, for a risk-assessment study of the future maritime patrol aircraft program.
• The 24-month contract follows an earlier architecture and feasibility study launched at the end of 2022.
• The aim of the new study and risk-assessment contract is to prepare for the development and production launch of the maritime patrol aircraft program at the end of 2026.
• The A321 MPA is designed to meet all the operational requirements of the French Navy, mainly in anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, from low to high intensity, as well as intelligence.
• The A321 MPA is designed to become a true flying frigate capable of responding to the wide range of missions entrusted to the French maritime patrol.
• The French government has tapped Airbus Defense and Space and Dassault Aviation to design a future maritime patrol system architecture based on one of their aircraft.
• The award of 10.9 million euros ($11.82 million) for each company’s research will be based on Airbus’s A320neo and Dassault’s Falcon 10X.
