Leonardo expands C‑27J Spartan footprint with Saudi Arabian Maritime Patrol order

Italy-based aerospace contractor Leonardo announced Monday that it will deliver four C-27J Spartan-derived Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence. The deal makes the Royal Saudi Naval Forces the 21st operator of the C‑27J platform worldwide and marks the first procurement of the MPA variant equipped for integrated maritime weapon systems.

Since its introduction, the C‑27J Spartan multi-mission tactical transport has accumulated more than 290,000 flight hours across a diverse user base spanning five continents. The aircraft’s blend of payload capacity, short‑take-off performance, and modern avionics has secured its reputation among air forces and coast guards alike. Leonardo says the new order underscores the growing demand for versatile, cost-effective platforms that can be re-tasked between transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, and now, maritime security missions.

Deliveries to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces are slated to begin in 2029, with the aircraft expected to operate from coastal bases to conduct anti-submarine warfare, surface‑target surveillance, search‑and‑rescue, and logistical support. The C‑27J MPA retains the full suite of avionics, navigation, communications, and self-protection systems of the Spartan Next Generation, while adding a modular weapons interface that can accommodate torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges as mission requirements dictate.

The MPA version achieves its multi-role flexibility by removing the mission‑management consoles usually installed for dedicated surveillance tasks, allowing the cabin to be rapidly reconfigured for transport, airdrop, or aeromedical missions. The same approach is already in service with the United States Coast Guard, which operates C‑27Js for maritime patrol and interdiction duties.