Malaysia has solidified its choice of the ATR 72 as its maritime patrol aircraft with the signing of an official contract with Leonardo.
Signed at LIMA 2023, a maritime and defense exhibition held in Langkawi, Malaysia, the contract follows Malaysia’s selection of the platform in October last year. The agreement will include delivery of two ATR 72 MPA platforms, integrated logistic support, and training services.
The ATR 72 MPA, a twin-turboprop aircraft, is specifically designed for complex maritime patrol missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), and search and rescue (SAR), in addition to maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring, medical evacuation, and transport.
The aircraft is also optimized for a range of maritime patrol capabilities, including electronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering, effective detection and tracking of both surface and submerged targets, swift execution of search and rescue (SAR) operations, efficient countermeasures against illegal activities such as drug trafficking, piracy, and smuggling, and robust protection of territorial waters.
The Malaysian configuration of the ATR 72 MPA will incorporate Leonardo’s ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) mission system, similar to the variants currently utilized by military and law enforcement organizations worldwide.
ATOS serves as the operational hub, integrating all on-board sensors. By utilizing an optimized human-machine interface (HMI), the system acquires and presents data from the sensors, offering the crew a real-time overview.
The system integrates an array of sensors including Seaspray, ULISSES, electro-optical, electronic warfare, automatic identification system, and Airborne Search and Rescue System Direction Finder.
“We are proud that the Malaysian government has chosen our ATR 72 MPA, an aircraft which represents Leonardo’s advanced technological capabilities in the design and integration of platforms and systems at the highest levels,” said Dario Marfè, SVP Aircraft Commercial & Customer Services at Leonardo.
“The ATR 72 MPA combines reliability and low operating costs, all the advantages of the ATR 72-600 regional passenger transport aircraft, and features a state-of-the-art Leonardo mission system. It is positioned on the market as a tremendously effective solution for the security and defense of its customers,” he added.
