Italian company Leonardo confirmed the sale of four new C-27J MPA aircraft—the maritime patrol version of the tactical military transport platform—to the Royal Saudi Navy under a contract with the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense. The aircraft will be incorporated into the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, making Saudi Arabia the 21st global operator of the model, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029.
The agreement includes the provision of four C-27J aircraft in the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) configuration, designed to counter submarine and surface threats, ensure effective Search and Rescue (SAR) services, and conduct transport and airdrop missions. According to the company, the global C-27J fleet has accumulated more than 290,000 flight hours, consolidating its presence across multiple armed forces. With this acquisition, Saudi Arabia expands the number of C-27J units already ordered by users within the country.
The deal also marks the first time that the C-27J MPA variant has been acquired with the capability to integrate maritime weapon systems. This milestone follows the purchase announced in the summer of 2025 of two additional units intended for firefighting, cargo transport, and medical evacuation missions. In this way, the program continues to expand its operational capabilities through investments aimed at enhancing platform performance and incorporating advanced technologies tailored to customer requirements.
The MPA version retains the features of the C-27J Spartan Next Generation, including state-of-the-art avionics, navigation, communications, identification, and self-protection systems. These capabilities enable operations in all weather and lighting conditions, within both civilian and military controlled airspace, even in high-threat environments. For multi-domain surveillance missions, it integrates a dedicated suite of sensors optimized for the detection, identification, and tracking of surface and submarine targets.
The mission system is managed by Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance system, which incorporates data fusion capabilities to optimize real-time information processing. Additionally, it features a comprehensive communications suite that allows data exchange with control centers and cooperation with other units beyond line of sight (BLOS). Depending on mission requirements, the aircraft can be equipped with torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges, broadening its operational employment spectrum.
Another key feature of the C-27J MPA is its configuration flexibility. By removing the mission system consoles and other dedicated components, the cabin can be reconfigured to perform transport, airdrop, and medical evacuation tasks characteristic of the baseline version. Currently, C-27J aircraft configured for maritime roles are already in service with the United States Coast Guard. This versatility has been one of the factors driving its adoption by various international operators.
The purchase comes amid significant Saudi investment in defense. Recently, the U.S. Department of State notified Congress of the authorization of a logistics support package for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s F-15 fighters under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, valued at $3 billion. In addition, the potential sale of hundreds of Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles was approved at an estimated value of $9 billion, further consolidating the Kingdom as one of the principal operators of these systems in the region.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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