The Malaysian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Leonardo to procure two ATR 72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
The agreement comes after the plane was selected as the country’s next maritime aircraft asset in October 2022. Leonardo will also provide associated logistical support and training services.
An ‘Effective Solution’
The ATR 72 MPA is a twin turbo-prop aircraft built for maritime patrol. It is the latest variant of Leonardo’s ATR regional transport aircraft line.
The plane is deployed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface unit warfare, maritime surveillance, military transport, environmental monitoring, and humanitarian missions.
Its sensors and mission systems are designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions over land and sea.
“We are proud that the Malaysian Government has chosen our ATR 72 MPA, an aircraft which represents Leonardo’s advanced technological capabilities in the design and integration of platforms and systems at the highest levels,” Leonardo Aircraft Commercial & Customer Services SVP Dario Marfè stated.
“The ATR 72 MPA combines reliability and low operating costs, all the advantages of the ATR 72-600 regional passenger transport aircraft, and features a state-of-the-art Leonardo mission system.”
“It is positioned on the market as a tremendously effective solution for the security and defence of its customers.”
ATOS Mission System
Other sub-variants of the ATR 72 MPA are equipped with Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) mission system, which will also be integrated into the Malaysian units.
“The ATOS manages the aircraft’s on-board sensors, fusing the information gathered and presenting a comprehensive and continuously updated tactical picture to the mission system operators,” Leonardo said.
Further operations the platform can be employed for include electronic intelligence gathering, territorial security, and counter-smuggling operations.
