Saudi Arabia orders four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Leonardo

Saudi Arabia’s order of four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft highlights the challenges in the Gulf. Iran remains a credible threat and destabilising influence, as do the Houthis despite turmoil in Yemen. This makes maritime domain awareness crucial for security and prosperity.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 18, 2026.

Saudi Arabia has ordered four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Leonardo, according to a February 16 press release. The four aircraft are set for delivery to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces from 2029 and will perform several missions: 

• Surface and sub-surface maritime surveillance
• Maritime search and rescue 
• Transport and airdrop missions.

This order follows another from the Kingdom for two aircraft dedicated to firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation. Those aircraft, ordered in June 2025, will be operated by Mukamalah Aviation Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco. This means they are designed to support private industry rather than defence. 

Nevertheless, the infrastructure would presumably be able to support the Royal Saudi Naval Forces use of the C-27J. This is, however, the first time that the C-27J has been sold as a Maritime Patrol Aircraft. 

Tech profile: C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft

The MPA variant is based on the C-27J Spartan Next Generation airframe. It comes with the Leonardo Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) mission management system, which fuses data from multiple sensors. These can include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) search radar, an electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) turret, and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) for intelligence and signal monitoring. For sub-surface operations, the aircraft is equipped with a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) in the tail and internal rotary sonobuoy launchers.

The aircraft features six wing pylons with a total external payload capacity of 3,600 kg. Integration options for the Saudi requirement include MBDA Marte-ER anti-ship missiles and MU90 lightweight torpedoes. Like the baseline Spartan, the MPA retains a palletised interior, allowing the mission consoles to be removed to reconfigure the aircraft for tactical transport or medical evacuation.

Feature	Specification
Crew	2 Pilots + up to 5 Mission Operators
Length	22.70 m
Wingspan	28.70 m
Height	9.64 m
Max Take-off Weight	31,800 kg
Max Payload	11,300 kg (Logistic) / 3,600 kg (Weapons on 6 pylons)
Powerplant	2 × Rolls-Royce AE 2100-D2A (4,637 shp each)
Max Speed	602 km/h (325 KTAS)
Service Ceiling	9,144 m (30,000 ft)
Mission Endurance	9+ hours (Extendable to 12 hours with aerial refuelling)
Max Range	5,852 km (3,160 nm)

Calibre comment: Maritime security in the Middle East

Disruption is the new normal. 

Sea lines of communication through the Middle East have been routinely disrupted in the past five years. Whether that has been through ships getting stuck in the Suez Canal, or the Houthis attacking shipping, countries in the region need to be prepared. The risks of piracy are still high and Iran remains a potent force in the region. Aircraft like the C-27J provide an effective means to monitor a wide area and build situational awareness. 

Although Saudi Arabia is notionally diversifying its economy away from oil. One of its core concerns remains the ability to export oil produced by Aramco. For that reason, maintaining maritime situational awareness is an important role for the Saudi Naval Forces. 

For further reading on security in the Gulf region and if you would like to support Calibre Defence, please do check out the articles linked below:

• Defence in brief: CENTCOM repels Houthi attack 
• DSEI UK 2025: Royal Navy clears Peregrine UAS for service – Calibre Defence
• One shot: Royal Marines stop Gulf region drug boat – Calibre Defence

The lead image shows the C-27J. Credit: Leonardo.