This morning, the French Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, denounced a new act of intimidation by the Russian Armed Forces against a French Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft of the French Navy. According to the minister, the incident occurred when the fire-control radar of a long-range S-400 air defense system locked onto the French aircraft during a recent flight over the Baltic Sea.

While specific details were not provided, Lecornu stated on his official social media accounts: “On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, a French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was subjected to intimidation measures by Russia. The aircraft was patrolling international airspace over the Baltic Sea as part of a NATO operation when it was illuminated by the fire-control radar of an S-400 air defense system.”

This latest episode adds to a growing list of encounters involving assets of the Russian Armed Forces and NATO in the Baltic region. Regular reports indicate that both sides conduct routine patrol flights to test and gauge response times and capabilities. This includes NATO Air Forces’ Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions and Russian Federation’s deployment of SIGINT/ELINT signal intelligence collection aircraft.

For NATO, the Baltic region—especially following the recent inclusion of Sweden and Finland—has been a strategic priority for years, particularly regarding the protection of critical infrastructure. Strategically, Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave is perceived as a constant potential threat.

From Russia’s perspective, Kaliningrad provides year-round access to navigable seas, aligning with its longstanding policy, dating back to the Tsars, of seeking access to warm-water ports. Militarily, Kaliningrad remains a critical asset, hosting the Russian Baltic Fleet, Aerospace Forces (VKS) air bases, and platforms like MiG-31 aircraft armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

The Atlantique 2 and Its Role in the Incident

Initially designed as an anti-submarine warfare platform, the Atlantique 2 (ATL2) has undergone successive upgrades and modernizations, making it the most advanced maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft in the French Navy’s arsenal.

Following its latest modernization program, the ATL2 is now expected to remain operational beyond 2030. Key upgrades include the integration of the Thales SearchMaster AESA radar, a new acoustic subsystem compatible with the latest generation of sonobuoys, FLIR cameras, and an MX-20 infrared electro-optical turret.

These advanced systems, coupled with its impressive endurance and range (approximately 14 hours of flight time and 4,300 nautical miles), make the ATL2 an excellent platform for long-range reconnaissance and patrol missions, such as the one conducted in the Baltic Sea between Wednesday and Thursday.

During the mission, which originated at its base in Lann-Bihoué, Brittany, the ATL2 flew north over France toward the coasts of Sweden and other Baltic nations. At some point during the patrol, the crew confirmed that their aircraft had been illuminated by the fire-control radar of a Russian S-400 air defense system. While not confirmed, it is also possible the aircraft encountered interference from Russian electronic warfare systems.

The S-400’s Location: Competing Hypotheses

Speculation has emerged regarding the exact location of the S-400 system involved in this incident, as it is one of the most capable long-range air defense systems in service with the Russian Armed Forces.

Some suggest the system may have been located in Kaliningrad, while others point to Belarus as a possibility, given the S-400’s operational range of over 200 miles. A third hypothesis posits that the radar may have been stationed in Saint Petersburg.

Intelligence Gathering Opportunities

Aside from the demonstration of Russian capabilities, this incident could provide valuable intelligence for France and, by extension, NATO. The ATL2 is equipped with Electronic Support Measures (ESM) designed for communications intelligence gathering. It may have obtained data on the operational characteristics, locations, and radio frequencies used by the S-400 system and associated surveillance radars.

A Delicate Balance

Despite this latest episode, both NATO and the Russian Armed Forces continue to demonstrate their respective capabilities in the Baltic region. Fortunately, these actions have so far been limited to interception flights and air defense demonstrations, avoiding more serious escalations.

Photos are used for illustrative purposes only.

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