IRIA News

4 minute read

Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with the Italian defense and aerospace company Leonardo to acquire four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft configured for armed maritime operations.

The aircraft will be supplied to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense and are expected to enter service with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces beginning in 2029.

The deal expands Saudi Arabia’s fleet of C-27J aircraft. It reflects a broader effort by Riyadh to strengthen maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue capabilities across its coastal and offshore areas. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

The new aircraft will be based on the C-27J Spartan platform, a twin-engine tactical airlifter designed to operate from short and austere runways while carrying a range of mission equipment. In the Saudi configuration, the aircraft will be equipped with a dedicated maritime mission suite, sensors, and communications systems designed to detect, identify, and track both surface vessels and submarines.

According to the manufacturer, the aircraft will be capable of carrying torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges, allowing it to conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions in addition to surveillance patrols.

Potential weapons for the Saudi aircraft include the Marte-ER anti-ship missile and the MU-90 lightweight torpedo, both linked to the Leonardo industrial group through its subsidiary WASS.

The addition of weapons integration represents a notable evolution for the aircraft. While the C-27J has previously been used in maritime patrol roles by operators such as the U.S. Coast Guard, it had not been sold before as an armed maritime patrol platform. Saudi Arabia, therefore, becomes the first country to procure the aircraft in this configuration.

Flexible Multi-Mission Design

The maritime patrol version retains the core features of the C-27J tactical transport aircraft, including modern avionics, navigation, communication, and self-protection systems designed to support operations in complex environments and high-threat scenarios.

The aircraft’s mission management system integrates multiple sensors and allows real-time data sharing with command centers and other units, including beyond line-of-sight communications.

A key element of the design is flexibility, as the mission consoles and specialized equipment can be removed from the aircraft, allowing it to be quickly reconfigured for transport, airdrop, or medical evacuation missions. This modular approach enables operators to use the aircraft across multiple roles, including logistics, disaster response, and maritime surveillance.

In addition to combat and surveillance roles, the aircraft will support search-and-rescue operations and air-drop missions, enhancing the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ ability to respond to emergencies at sea and along coastal areas.

Broader Saudi Defense Procurement Trend

The new contract builds on Saudi Arabia’s earlier purchase of two C-27J aircraft in 2025 for firefighting, cargo transport, and medical evacuation missions. The latest order increases the total number of C-27J aircraft ordered by Saudi users and deepens defense cooperation between Riyadh and Leonardo.

The agreement also follows a separate contract signed with WASS, under which Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase MU-90 lightweight torpedoes in a deal valued at approximately $200 million. The torpedoes are expected to be among the potential weapons integrated onto the new maritime patrol aircraft.

With the latest order, Saudi Arabia becomes the 21st global operator of the C-27J. Leonardo says the aircraft has accumulated more than 290,000 flight hours worldwide and has been sold in various configurations to multiple countries for transport, special missions, and maritime roles.

Expanding Mission Variants

Leonardo continues to develop additional specialized variants of the C-27J. Among them is the MC-27, a special forces version equipped with a side-mounted gun system designed to provide close air support and armed overwatch. The MC-27 is expected to be ready for sale between 2029 and 2030.

The company has now sold 99 C-27J aircraft to 19 countries, underscoring the platform’s growing global presence. Designed as a smaller counterpart to the C-130, the aircraft is valued for its ability to operate from short runways and deliver multi-mission capability in a relatively compact airframe.

Strengthening Maritime Surveillance

Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of the armed maritime patrol aircraft comes as regional navies place greater emphasis on monitoring sea lanes, protecting offshore infrastructure, and countering submarine threats.

The ability to conduct surveillance, anti-ship, and anti-submarine operations from a single platform is expected to enhance the Kingdom’s maritime domain awareness and response options.

The aircraft’s ability to switch between combat and support roles also provides operational flexibility, allowing Saudi forces to use the same platform for security patrols, humanitarian missions, and logistics operations.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029, with the aircraft expected to play a central role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving maritime security architecture in the years ahead.