The Philippine Air Force (PAF) marked a pivotal milestone in its modernization program with the delivery of its first ATR 72-600 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), bolstering its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across its expansive maritime territory. This acquisition, part of a broader defense contract with Israeli defense technology firm Elbit Systems, represents a major strategic upgrade in the Philippines’ maritime security posture amid persistent regional tensions.
The aircraft arrived in the Philippines on May 25, 2025, after a ferry flight from Italy with stopovers that included Phuket, Thailand. It was delivered ahead of schedule—despite global disruptions due to conflicts involving Israel, a testament to the urgency and importance the Philippine government places on enhancing maritime surveillance and national defense.
Now in the hands of Philippine authorities, the aircraft will undergo a comprehensive post-delivery inspection and operational testing phase before it is commissioned for active duty. While the Philippine Air Force has not formally announced its final deployment unit, defense analysts and insiders widely anticipate that it will be assigned to the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing. This elite unit is tasked with consolidating and managing the PAF’s ISR assets, ensuring integration and effectiveness across its various surveillance platforms.
The aircraft is one of two ordered under a $114 million defense contract awarded to Elbit Systems by an undisclosed Asia-Pacific customer—now confirmed through multiple sources to be the Philippines. Signed in 2023, the agreement stipulates delivery over five years and includes a fully integrated advanced mission suite, likely the ELI-3360MPA, tailored to the Philippine operational environment.
Elbit’s proposal reportedly edged out offerings from other global defense players, including Airbus’ P-295MPA and Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) ELI-3360MPA variant. This selection underscores the Philippine military’s confidence in Elbit’s solution, which leverages the proven ATR 72-600 airframe and pairs it with cutting-edge surveillance technologies.
The Philippine version of the ATR 72-600MPA is designed for maritime domain awareness and multi-role ISR missions. Key features include the AN/APS-143 multi-mode X-band maritime radar with an integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, and a Wescam MX-20HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret capable of detecting human-sized targets at ranges up to 128 kilometers.
These systems are complemented by a suite of communication and data relay tools allowing real-time transmission of surveillance data to land-based command and control centers, including integration with the National Coast Watch Center. The aircraft’s communication suite supports multiple UHF frequencies and satellite-based telemetry links for extended range operations.
Despite its advanced ISR suite, the aircraft is not believed to possess anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. Systems such as Magnetic Anomaly Detectors (MAD) or sonobuoy launch systems have not been confirmed, indicating a likely focus on surface surveillance and maritime patrol rather than full-spectrum maritime warfare.
The ATR 72-600 is a modernized iteration of the long-standing ATR 72 turboprop platform, widely used in civilian and military applications. Developed through a joint venture between Airbus (formerly Aérospatiale) and Leonardo (formerly Aeritalia), the aircraft is known for its fuel efficiency, short runway performance, and adaptability.
The -600 variant, launched in 2007, incorporates enhanced avionics, six-bladed propellers, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines. The Philippine aircraft, serial number 1702 and previously test-registered as F-WWEB and F-WNUF, can cruise at 465 km/h and remain airborne for more than 10 hours, making it well-suited for extended patrol missions in the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Internally, the MPA features a modular mission suite. While the full specifications of the Philippine variant remain classified, other operators of similar ATR 72MPA aircraft—such as Italy and Turkey—employ configurations that include radar systems like the Leonardo Seaspray AESA, tactical navigation aids, and electronic warfare support measures. These features offer flexibility in roles ranging from search and rescue (SAR) to environmental monitoring and border security.
Across the globe, the ATR 72 has proven its worth in maritime and surveillance roles. The Italian Air Force’s P-72A fleet, originally designed for ASW roles, serves primarily in surveillance and reconnaissance. Meanwhile, Turkey has developed both utility and patrol variants in cooperation with Turkish Aerospace Industries, adding ASW and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
Closer to home, Malaysia and Pakistan have adopted the ATR 72 for surveillance duties. Pakistan’s Sea Eagle configuration, based on the ATR 72-500, is a cornerstone of its maritime monitoring program. These global examples demonstrate the flexibility of the ATR platform to meet diverse operational needs depending on mission customization.
In contrast, the Philippine model appears optimized for ISR and maritime domain awareness, with a strong emphasis on interoperability with existing command structures and surveillance frameworks like the National Coast Watch System. This choice reflects both a budget-conscious approach and a strategic shift towards persistent ISR rather than offensive maritime combat.
This delivery is the first fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft acquired under the administration of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. It replaces the aging Fokker F.27-200MPA, offering a significant leap in sensor technology, endurance, and reliability. The new aircraft enhances the PAF’s ability to monitor maritime regions such as the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise—areas of increasing strategic interest due to resource claims and regional military activity.
Additionally, the aircraft complements the Philippines’ expanding unmanned ISR capabilities, which include Elbit Hermes drones and Insitu ScanEagles, and signals a growing commitment to air-based maritime security.
The second ATR 72-600MPA is expected to arrive by the end of 2025, at which point the Philippines will have a dual-platform fixed-wing ISR capability tailored for maritime patrol. This acquisition forms part of a broader effort to modernize and professionalize the Philippine military under its Horizon 3 modernization roadmap, scheduled to run until 2028.
The delivery comes at a time of rising tension in the South China Sea, where sovereignty disputes have brought the Philippines into frequent diplomatic and naval friction with regional powers, especially China. The ability to maintain persistent, credible maritime surveillance is not only critical for national defense but also essential for asserting legal rights within internationally recognized maritime boundaries.
By equipping the PAF with long-endurance, sensor-rich platforms like the ATR 72-600MPA, the Philippines is moving toward a more proactive and data-driven approach to national security. It enhances the country’s capability to detect and respond to unauthorized activities, from illegal fishing and smuggling to gray-zone maritime coercion.
As the aircraft undergoes operational testing, its real-world performance will be closely monitored by Philippine and allied defense analysts alike. Its success could pave the way for additional procurements or mid-life upgrades to incorporate ASW systems should the strategic environment demand a more robust response capability.
