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Dassault Aviation has received a new order from the French defense procurement agency (DGA) for five additional Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft, strengthening France’s maritime surveillance and intervention capabilities.

The latest contract completes a 12-aircraft commitment under the country’s Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Aircraft program, known as Avsimar. The first batch of seven aircraft was ordered in December 2020, and this latest agreement finalizes the planned fleet for the French Navy.

The Falcon 2000 Albatros is derived from Dassault’s proven Falcon 2000LXS business jet, modified to meet the specific operational needs of maritime patrol missions. It is equipped with advanced systems for surveillance, search and rescue, and communication.

The aircraft features a Thales Searchmaster active electronically scanned array (AESA) maritime radar, a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and a Naval Group mission management system. These systems are integrated with dedicated communications equipment, enlarged observation windows, and a search-and-rescue kit dispenser installed beneath the fuselage.

The Albatros has a range of around 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 kilometers), allowing it to cover vast maritime areas, including France’s extensive exclusive economic zone—the second largest in the world.

According to the DGA, the aircraft will offer a 10 to 30 percent greater range compared to the outgoing fleet of Falcon 50Ms and Falcon 200 Guardians, which have served as France’s main maritime patrol assets for decades. The older aircraft began retirement in 2025, and the Albatros is expected to achieve initial operational capability by the end of 2026.

Production and Testing

All conversion and integration work for the Albatros is being conducted at Dassault’s Merignac facility in western France, where the 2000LXS airframes are adapted for their military role. The first modified Albatros performed its maiden flight on January 24, 2025.

Ongoing test and certification activities are being carried out at Dassault’s flight-test center in Istres, located in southern France. The two sites are central to the company’s efforts to deliver the full fleet on schedule.

Dassault Aviation has emphasized its deep experience in adapting its business jets for government and military missions. Over 2,500 Falcons have been delivered globally, with approximately 10 percent of them configured for specialized tasks such as maritime patrol, medical evacuation, intelligence gathering, and calibration missions.

The company’s history in maritime surveillance dates to the Falcon 20s operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and includes variants like the Falcon 900MSA and Falcon 2000MSA in service with the Japanese Coast Guard.

Strengthening France’s Maritime Presence

The Avsimar program reflects France’s strategic emphasis on maintaining robust maritime monitoring and intervention capabilities. With vast overseas territories and maritime zones spanning the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, France faces ongoing challenges in ensuring security, environmental protection, and law enforcement across these areas.

The new fleet of Albatros aircraft will enable the French Navy to conduct a range of missions, including anti-trafficking operations, border monitoring, pollution control, and fisheries policing.

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier highlighted the aircraft’s operational versatility and the strategic significance of the order. “France, with the world’s second-largest exclusive economic zone, is particularly well-positioned to use these systems for homeland protection, maritime security, and government operations at sea,” Trappier said.

He also noted growing international interest in the Albatros, citing its potential role in supporting coastal and maritime security missions for other countries. “From the Falcon 20 operated by the U.S. Coast Guard to the Falcon 900 and Falcon 2000MSA with the Japanese Coast Guard, and the Falcon 200 Gardian and 50M in service with the French Navy, we have extensive experience with maritime surveillance,” he added.

Industrial Collaboration

The development of the Albatros involves close collaboration among major French defense and aerospace firms, including Safran, Thales, and Naval Group. Thales provides the radar and mission systems integration, Safran supplies the electro-optical systems, and Naval Group contributes expertise in naval operations and system interoperability. This cooperation underscores France’s broader objective of maintaining a strong, independent defense industrial base capable of meeting national security needs.

Beyond the current batch of aircraft, the DGA has indicated that the second phase of the Avsimar program will expand surveillance capabilities further. Plans include integrating drones and other systems to achieve comprehensive maritime domain awareness.

The addition of unmanned systems would allow France to combine manned patrols with continuous, wide-area surveillance, providing a more flexible and cost-effective approach to monitoring its territorial waters and overseas regions.

A Modern Maritime Asset

The Falcon 2000 Albatros represents a modern and capable platform that bridges the gap between traditional maritime patrol aircraft and next-generation surveillance systems. Its long endurance, modern avionics, and multi-mission adaptability make it suitable not only for France’s naval operations but also for international partners seeking advanced maritime surveillance options.

The aircraft’s efficient twinjet design allows it to operate from short or challenging airfields, making it well-suited for rapid deployment to remote or overseas bases.

With this latest order, France moves closer to fully modernizing its maritime patrol fleet and ensuring that its navy remains capable of safeguarding maritime interests well into the next decade. The first operational Albatros units are expected to enter service in 2026, marking the start of a new era for French maritime surveillance and intervention efforts.