According to a Tweet published on June 7, 2021, the French Procurement Defense Agency (DGA) has delivered the 5th modernized ATL2 long-range maritime patrol aircraft on standard 6 to the French Navy. Another modernized aircraft will be delivered at the end of this year.
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French Navy ATL2 long-range maritime patrol aircraft. (Picture source DGA)
The ATL2 is a long-range maritime patrol aircraft designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation for the French Navy in order to confront the increasing threat represented by the development of submarines and surface vessels.
In June 1982 the Ministry of Defense announced the official production launch of the ATL 2. The ATL 2’s airframe was produced by the European Consortium SECBAT (Dornier and MBB for West Germany, Dassault-Breguet and Aérospatiale for France, Aeritalia for Italy and SABCA-SONACA for Belgium).
The modernization of this 5th aircraft was carried out by Dassault Aviation for 14 months.
The modernized version of the ATL2 includes new combat systems with the aim to develop and then integrate into existing aircraft new technologies in terms of tactical mission systems, sensor subsystems and display consoles, in order to deal with the obsolescence of current systems that would prevent its use in the short term.
The new ATL2 has improved to counter modern threats in all weather conditions, whether as part of strategic deterrence missions or in the context of conflicts against stealth submarines, fast boats, as well as land combat vehicles.
