The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Thales, a 24-month contract to conduct a risk-assessment study for France’s next-generation maritime patrol aircraft, according to a news update.
The new aircraft, the A321 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), is intended to replace the French Navy’s Atlantique 2 fleet, with an operational timeframe expected between 2030 and 2040.
The study aims to refine initial technical designs, assess industrial and economic conditions, and guide system integration decisions ahead of a full production launch by 2026.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President and Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, described the A321 MPA as having “all the assets to become a true flying frigate capable of responding to the wide range of missions entrusted to the French maritime patrol.” He added that the project will focus on “autonomy, availability and reliability” to support critical defence missions, including nuclear deterrence.
A militarised version of the Airbus A321XLR, the A321 MPA will be equipped to conduct anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, as well as intelligence and surveillance operations. The aircraft will carry advanced onboard systems provided by Thales, including active antenna radar, sonar buoys, electronic warfare systems, and magnetic anomaly detection sensors. It will also feature satellite communications and weapons systems such as torpedoes and the future anti-ship missile.
The open architecture design of the A321 MPA, say Airbus, will allow for system upgrades to meet emerging threats. The aircraft will also benefit from a large cargo bay, offering flexibility in operations over its service life.
Airbus pointed to its experience converting commercial aircraft for military use as a factor in the project’s development. The company highlighted the success of its A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and its experience integrating mission systems into maritime patrol configurations on platforms like the P3 and C295.
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They really should have done this earlier, the market in Europe would probably have shifted from the P-8 towards this
With most MPA requirements now filled by the P8 it will be brave of France to produce this Aircraft with little chance of Exports.
I always wonder what would have been if BAE had built a Nimrod successor using the A320 family instead of persisting in using old Nimrod airframes for MRA4
We would have saved a liad of money and ended up with something nearer Nimrod.
BAE didn’t persist IRL.
It was forced on them. And they were very annoyed they were made to look the bad guys for decisions made by the customer.
RAF / MoD started off with a refurb that turned into a rebuild which morphed into an essentially new aircraft with some old bits retained.
When you have a new wing and new engines and have modified the fuselage it would be easier to start from scratch.
The alternative proposal was new build to the old design using modern production methods. That wasn’t accepted as it cost *marginally* more. As it was new build it was a fixed price for the frames. This was turned down as it was ‘cheaper’ to reuse old frames.
The rest, as they say, is history.
It started as one thing and then turned into camel.
RAF liked NIMROD as it was ‘understood’…..a bit like grandpa’s armchair is understood….
BAE offered to restart production of new airframes for nirmod… which was rejected. Imagine if we had spun up the capability to make large body aircraft again in the UK. BAE Also offered to start CV90 production in the UK for the Ajax program. Imagine if we had credible armour manufacturing back, instead we import the hulls from spain or wherever. The only armour made in the UK is currently boxer.
What could have been with new builds and adaptation of the kit to other airframes would have made the UK a World Leader rather than a has been it is now. The cost of Nimrod MRA 4 lost added to the wasted AEW3 the RAF wanted but could not settle on just goes to show the customer had little idea of what it actually needed with regards to both programmes and then the added expense of the P8’s which deliver only a precentage of what could have been. All down to poor customer and leadership know how.
Sad to say but the UK and its once proud and highly respected Services together with the supportive industustries have long gone never to return. No longer proud to have served such a lost state.