On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Italian company Leonardo announced that the Ministry of Defense of the Saudi Arabia has ordered four units of the new armed variant of the C-27J Spartan Next Generation aircraft – configured as the C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) multi-role patrol platform.
Image: Leonardo
With this order, Saudi Arabia will become the first operator of the new variant, which will provide the Royal Saudi Naval Aviation with the capabilities required to address modern submarine and surface threats, while ensuring effective search and rescue (SAR), transport, and cargo airdrop missions. At the same time, the Kingdom will become the 21st global operator of the C-27J Spartan platform, which has accumulated 290,000 flight hours to date. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029.
According to Leonardo, this significant achievement confirms the strong ties between the company and Saudi Arabia, increasing the number of C-27J aircraft ordered by Saudi users, following the June 16, 2025 purchase of two aircraft by Saudi Aramco for firefighting, cargo transport, and medical evacuation missions.
The C-27J program benefits from continuous investment aimed at expanding mission capabilities, improving performance, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to deliver mission-oriented, customer-tailored solutions capable of meeting the most demanding operational requirements.
The C-27J MPA platform is based on the upgraded C-27J Next Generation variant developed in 2020 as an evolution of the baseline C-27J Spartan. The aircraft features new avionics and winglets to enhance performance and overall efficiency. The avionics suite meets Next Generation Air Traffic Control requirements, incorporating FANS 1/A+ data link, TCAS 7.1, ILS Cat. II, and enhanced video TAWS. The cockpit includes new color LCD displays, LED lighting, a new weather radar, updated radio navigation, enhanced satellite communications, and a new intercom system.
The C-27J Next Generation also incorporates new cockpit and cargo panels, secure Mode 5 IFF/ADS-B Out data transmission, VNAV vertical navigation, and dedicated Search and Rescue functionality. Previous avionics and system interface units have been replaced with new hardware manufactured by Leonardo Electronics.
The aircraft can be equipped with a Defensive Aids Sub-Systems (DASS) suite, secure communications, and ballistic protection, enabling operations in high-threat environments. Thanks to roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) mission kits, the C-27J can be rapidly reconfigured for a wide range of roles, including tactical transport, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and C3ISR missions.
The C-27J MPA variant integrates a mission package featuring sensors optimized for detecting, identifying, and tracking surface and subsurface targets, linked through Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance mission management system with advanced data fusion capabilities. A comprehensive communications suite enables real-time data exchange with command centers and secure collaboration with other units, including Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operations.
In addition to maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities, the C-27J MPA can carry a substantial weapons payload, including torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges, depending on mission requirements.
When mission system consoles and related equipment are removed, the C-27J MPA cabin can be easily reconfigured for standard C-27J Next Generation transport, airdrop, and medical evacuation roles. C-27J aircraft in maritime roles are already in service with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), although they operate the earlier HC-27J variant (14 aircraft).
In recent years, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, Turkmenistan, and Tanzania have selected the C-27J Next Generation, joining long-standing operators such as Australia, Bulgaria, Chad, Greece, Kenya, Lithuania, Morocco, Mexico, Peru, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, the United States (including USASOAC special operations aviation), and Zambia. Lithuania and Slovakia, however, plan to replace their fleets with the Brazilian Embraer C-390 Millennium.
Currently, the Royal Saudi Naval Aviation operates only helicopters: 10 SH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters, 20 older AS332 Super Puma helicopters (B1, M1, F1S1, and F1S2 variants), and 24 AS565 Dauphin search-and-rescue helicopters.
🔴#LDO_PR #Leonardo will supply four #C27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (#MPA) to the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia’s Ministry of Defence (@modgovksa), providing the capabilities needed to cope with modern submarine and sea surface threats, to guarantee effective Search and Rescue (#SAR)… pic.twitter.com/aGVRXawOVK
— Leonardo Aeronautics (@LDO_Aeronautics) February 16, 2026