26. February 2026

French Navy Welcomes Upgraded Maritime Patrol Aircraft As Capabilities Take Flight

The French Navy’s Latest Addition: Upgraded ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft Bring Enhanced Capabilities

On February 17, 2026, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) officially handed over the eighteenth and final Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) upgraded to standard 6 to the French Navy. This milestone marks the culmination of a comprehensive modernization program aimed at enhancing the ATL2’s combat capabilities, ensuring it remains operational beyond 2030.

The ATL2 modernization project was spearheaded by Dassault Aviation and Thales, with the SIAé aeronautical maintenance center playing a crucial role in the upgrade process. The updated aircraft are now equipped with state-of-the-art systems, including a new radar, acoustic subsystem, navigation console, and tactical display subsystem.

The ATL2’s modernization program focuses on improving its combat performance, enabling it to counter emerging threats from submarines, surface vessels, and land-based platforms. The upgraded aircraft will be capable of operating in various environmental conditions, providing the French Navy with an enhanced maritime surveillance capability.

“The upgraded ATL2s thus improve their ability to deal with threats in all weather conditions, whether they come from submarines, latest-generation surface vessels, or land vehicles,” stated the DGA in a release. This upgrade is a testament to the agency’s commitment to maintaining the French military’s cutting-edge capabilities.

The ATL2 program has been a significant undertaking for the French Navy, with the original fleet consisting of 22 “legacy” aircraft. However, with the introduction of new technologies and advancements, the need arose to upgrade the existing fleet to meet modern security standards.

The upgrade process involved extensive collaboration between Dassault Aviation, Thales, and the SIAé aeronautical maintenance center. The upgraded ATL2s feature a range of improvements, including:

A new radar system: The Thales Searchmaster with active antenna, which enhances the aircraft’s ability to detect and track targets
An advanced acoustic subsystem by Thales: This gathers and processes signals from the latest-generation sonobuoys for submarine detection
A new navigation console designed by Dassault Aviation: Providing improved situational awareness and enhanced navigation capabilities
New consoles for the tactical display subsystem, developed by SIAé: Enhancing the aircraft’s combat performance and tactical decision-making

The upgraded ATL2s will be based at Lann Bihoué naval air base in Brittany, joining their colleagues on the Atlantic coast. The aircraft are expected to play a vital role in supporting French Navy operations, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and air-land missions.

Looking ahead, the French military is planning for the eventual replacement of ATL2 aircraft with a new maritime patrol aircraft as part of the PATMAR FUTUR program. Airbus has been selected to conduct a risk assessment study for this program, with a formal order contract expected by the end of 2026.

The choice of the Airbus A321 MPA solution was informed by its long-range capabilities and large weapons bay, making it an ideal platform for future maritime patrol operations.

In an interview at the Combined Naval Event 2024, French Navy Captain Johann, Head of Naval Air Office, Navy HQ – Plans / Programs, discussed the key requirements that led to the choice of the Airbus A321 MPA solution. “The long-range capabilities and large weapons bay were crucial factors in our selection process,” he stated.

As the French Navy continues to evolve and adapt to emerging threats, the upgraded ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft will play a vital role in supporting its operations. With their enhanced capabilities and modernized systems, these aircraft will provide the French military with an unparalleled level of flexibility and effectiveness in addressing complex security challenges.

The successful completion of the ATL2 modernization program is a testament to the collaborative efforts between industry partners, government agencies, and the French Navy itself. This achievement underscores the importance of investing in cutting-edge technologies and capabilities, ensuring that nations can effectively address the evolving threats of our time.

As the French Navy looks to the future, it will be interesting to see how the upgraded ATL2s integrate with emerging systems and platforms, enhancing their overall performance and combat effectiveness. With its commitment to innovation and modernization, the French military is poised to remain a major player in global maritime operations for years to come.

The French Navy’s latest addition to its fleet, the upgraded ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft, marks an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain its cutting-edge capabilities. As it moves forward, the French military will continue to be at the forefront of maritime surveillance and air-land missions, providing a vital layer of security for the nation.

In conclusion, the French Navy’s receipt of the 18th and final upgraded ATL2 MPA is a testament to its commitment to innovation, modernization, and national security. As it moves forward, the French military will continue to be at the forefront of global maritime operations, providing a vital layer of security for the nation.

The French Navy’s decision to upgrade its ATL2 fleet demonstrates its recognition of the evolving nature of global security threats. By investing in advanced technologies and systems, the French military is ensuring that it remains well-equipped to address these challenges, providing a vital layer of security for the nation and the international community.

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, nations must remain agile and adaptable to respond effectively to emerging threats. The French Navy’s upgraded ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft are a testament to this commitment, providing an enhanced level of flexibility and effectiveness in supporting its operations.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, nations must invest in cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to address emerging threats effectively. The successful completion of the ATL2 modernization program serves as a shining example of this commitment, showcasing the power of collaboration between industry partners, government agencies, and military organizations.

The future of maritime patrol aircraft is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, with nations continually investing in cutting-edge technologies and systems. The French Navy’s upgrade of its ATL2 fleet serves as a shining example of this commitment, highlighting the importance of collaboration between industry partners, government agencies, and military organizations.

As we look to the future, it will be essential for nations to prioritize investment in cutting-edge technologies and capabilities. By doing so, they can ensure that they remain at the forefront of global maritime operations, providing a vital layer of security for their citizens and the international community.

The upgraded ATL2s are an exciting addition to the French Navy’s fleet, marking an important milestone in its ongoing efforts to maintain its cutting-edge capabilities. Their modernized systems and enhanced capabilities make them well-suited to address emerging threats from submarines, surface vessels, and land-based platforms.

In conclusion, the French Navy’s receipt of the 18th and final upgraded ATL2 MPA marks an important milestone in its ongoing efforts to maintain its cutting-edge capabilities. With their enhanced systems and modernized design, these aircraft will play a crucial role in supporting French Navy operations, providing an unparalleled level of flexibility and effectiveness in addressing complex security challenges.

In conclusion, the French Navy’s receipt of the 18th and final upgraded ATL2 MPA is significant, highlighting the agency’s commitment to maintaining its combat capabilities. With their enhanced systems and modernized design, these aircraft will play a crucial role in supporting French Navy operations, providing an unparalleled level of flexibility and effectiveness in addressing complex security challenges.

The French Navy’s receipt of the 18th and final upgraded ATL2 MPA marks an important milestone in its ongoing efforts to maintain its cutting-edge capabilities. With their enhanced systems and modernized design, these aircraft will play a crucial role in supporting French Navy operations, providing an unparalleled level of flexibility and effectiveness in addressing complex security challenges.

The French Navy’s receipt of the 18th and final upgraded ATL2 MPA is a testament to its commitment to innovation, modernization, and national security. As it moves forward, the French military will continue to be at the forefront of global maritime operations, providing a vital layer of security for the nation.