Saudi Arabia has taken a decisive step to expand its naval aviation capability, signing a landmark agreement with Italy’s Leonardo for the acquisition of four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), marking the first time the tactical airlifter has been purchased in an armed maritime configuration.
The deal, concluded on February 16, 2026, will see the specially configured C-27J MPAs delivered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence by 2029. Once operational, the aircraft will be flown by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), introducing a dedicated fixed-wing maritime patrol capability into the kingdom’s naval inventory for the first time.
The procurement comes at a time of heightened security concerns in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, where state and non-state actors have increasingly challenged maritime stability. Saudi officials have not publicly detailed operational requirements, but defence analysts view the acquisition as a calibrated response to evolving submarine and surface threats in the region, including risks linked to Iran’s naval posture and Houthi activity emanating from Yemen.
In a press statement, Leonardo described the agreement as a “significant achievement,” highlighting not only the growing defence relationship between the company and Riyadh but also the milestone nature of the configuration.
“This significant achievement confirms the strong bond between Leonardo and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, increasing the number of C-27Js ordered by KSA users, following the recent (Summer 2025) in-country acquisition of two units dedicated to firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation tasks. It also marks the first time the C-27J MPA is procured with maritime weapon system integration capability. Further evidence of the platform’s versatility, able to uniquely combine transport, disaster response and multi-domain surveillance capabilities,” the company said.
The latest order brings the total number of C-27Js in Saudi service to six. Two aircraft acquired last year are configured for firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation, reflecting the kingdom’s broader interest in multi-role, rapidly deployable platforms.
However, the newly ordered MPAs represent a more ambitious evolution of the aircraft’s mission set — transforming the C-27J from a tactical airlifter into a fully armed maritime patrol and strike asset.
Until now, Saudi Arabia has lacked a robust fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft fleet. While the kingdom has invested heavily in naval surface combatants and rotary-wing assets, including the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, its maritime aviation capabilities have largely been helicopter-centric.
The absence of a dedicated fixed-wing MPA left a notable gap in long-range maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW). The C-27J MPA is intended to close that gap.
The aircraft will be capable of detecting, identifying and tracking both surface vessels and submarines, as well as conducting search and rescue (SAR), cargo transport and airdrop missions. For a country with an extensive coastline stretching along both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, as well as heavy maritime traffic linked to energy exports, the need for comprehensive maritime domain awareness has become increasingly urgent.
Regional tensions have underscored that urgency. Repeated incidents involving commercial shipping in the Red Sea, drone and missile threats, and the broader contest for influence in the Gulf have sharpened Riyadh’s focus on sea control and maritime surveillance.
Saudi Arabia’s selection of the C-27J MPA also raises questions about an earlier interest in the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a high-end, long-range maritime patrol jet derived from the Boeing 737.
Around 2017, during a high-profile visit to Riyadh by then-US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia reportedly signed a letter of intent with Boeing to potentially acquire six to eight P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The US government at the time listed Saudi Arabia as a prospective customer in certain program documentation.
The P-8 Poseidon offers exceptional endurance, speed and wide-area ocean surveillance capability. Operated by several US allies, it is widely regarded as one of the most capable maritime patrol aircraft in service.
However, the potential Saudi acquisition did not materialise. Riyadh has not publicly explained the shift, and there is no official confirmation regarding why the P-8 was ultimately set aside.
Defence analysts suggest several possible factors. The P-8 represents a major procurement program requiring significant investment in infrastructure, training pipelines, logistics chains and long-term sustainment arrangements. In contrast, the C-27J offers a smaller footprint, lower acquisition and operating costs, and a faster path to operational capability.
Some observers believe the C-27J provides an “entry-level” fixed-wing MPA capability that can be fielded on a tighter schedule and integrated more gradually into existing force structures. These assessments remain speculative, as Saudi authorities have not provided formal commentary on their decision-making process.
Notably, Saudi Arabia has continued to procure advanced US systems in other domains, recently securing approval to acquire the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. This suggests that diversification of suppliers, rather than a wholesale pivot away from US equipment, may be shaping procurement choices.
The C-27J Spartan is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft developed by Leonardo. Often described as a smaller and more agile counterpart to the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is designed for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations, enabling it to operate from austere or unprepared airstrips.
The platform has accumulated more than 290,000 flight hours globally and has been sold to 19 countries. Its baseline configuration focuses on tactical airlift missions, but Leonardo has progressively expanded its mission portfolio to include special operations, ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), command and control, firefighting, and maritime patrol roles.
The Italian Air Force operates a “Praetorian” special mission version configured for C3-ISR with roll-on/roll-off systems, making Italy the first European nation to field such a tailored ISR-focused variant.
Meanwhile, the United States Coast Guard operates 14 HC-27J aircraft for maritime patrol, medium-range SAR, drug and migrant interdiction, and disaster response. However, those aircraft are not equipped as armed MPAs. Saudi Arabia’s order marks the first instance of the C-27J being procured with integrated maritime weapon systems.
The Saudi-bound C-27J MPAs will be equipped with Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) system, which acts as the aircraft’s mission management and data fusion core.
ATOS integrates advanced radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and electronic support measures to detect and track both surface vessels and submerged submarines. The system enables operators to fuse sensor inputs into a coherent tactical picture, enhancing situational awareness in complex maritime environments.
A key feature of the Saudi configuration is its armament capability. The aircraft can carry up to 3,400 kilograms of payload on six underwing pylons, enabling the carriage of depth charges, anti-ship missiles and lightweight torpedoes.
Among the weapons reportedly associated with the program is the Marte-ER, an extended-range anti-ship missile developed by MBDA. Additionally, reports from the World Defence Show 2026 indicate that WASS Submarine Systems reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence for the supply of MU90 lightweight torpedoes, some of which are expected to equip the new MPAs.
If confirmed, this would provide the RSNF with a credible airborne anti-submarine warfare capability for the first time, allowing it to prosecute underwater contacts detected by onboard sensors.
The aircraft also incorporates modern avionics, navigation and communication suites, including beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) data links for real-time information sharing with other units and ground command centres. Self-defence systems are designed to enable operations in contested airspace and high-threat maritime zones.
One of the defining characteristics of the C-27J platform is its modularity. The cabin can be rapidly reconfigured, with mission consoles and surveillance equipment removable to revert the aircraft to a standard transport role.
For Saudi Arabia, this flexibility may prove particularly valuable. Beyond maritime patrol and strike missions, the aircraft can support humanitarian relief, medical evacuation, disaster response and cargo transport.
Given the kingdom’s geographic breadth and varied operational requirements — from coastal patrols to inland support missions — a multi-role platform reduces the need for separate, single-purpose fleets.
The STOL capability further enhances operational reach, allowing deployment from remote or underdeveloped airfields closer to maritime hotspots. This could prove significant in rapidly evolving contingencies along the Red Sea littoral or the Gulf coast.
The introduction of armed fixed-wing MPAs represents a qualitative shift in Saudi naval aviation. By combining surveillance and strike functions in a single platform, the RSNF gains the ability not only to monitor maritime activity but also to respond directly to emerging threats.
In the Persian Gulf, where submarine activity and asymmetric naval tactics have featured prominently in regional tensions, airborne ASW capability enhances deterrence and complicates adversaries’ planning. In the Red Sea, where commercial shipping has faced periodic attacks, the ability to conduct persistent patrols and rapid response missions strengthens maritime security.
For Leonardo, the contract serves as validation of its strategy to evolve the C-27J beyond its traditional transport roots. Securing the first armed MPA sale could open new export opportunities, particularly among countries seeking cost-effective alternatives to larger, jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft.
As deliveries begin toward the end of the decade, Saudi Arabia’s naval aviation landscape will look markedly different from today. The C-27J MPA will not match the range and endurance of larger platforms like the P-8, but it offers a blend of affordability, flexibility and credible strike capability tailored to the kingdom’s immediate operational environment.
In an era of persistent maritime competition and hybrid threats, Riyadh’s decision signals a clear intent: to strengthen sea control and maritime domain awareness with a platform that bridges surveillance and combat roles, while preserving the versatility required for peacetime and humanitarian missions.
The acquisition underscores how regional security dynamics are reshaping force structures across the Middle East — and how adaptable, multi-mission aircraft are emerging as key tools in that transformation.
