France is preparing the Airbus A321 MPA to replace the Atlantique 2, in the face of the Boeing P-8’s domination of the maritime patrol aircraft market.
The Airbus A321 MPA is the future maritime patrol aircraft to replace the French Navy’s Dassault Atlantique 2s. It will be based on the A321XLR version of the airliner, with a range of 8,700 km and increased fuel, sensor and weapons capacity. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space in partnership with Thales, it will be designed for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and protection of French nuclear submarines. The program comes up against the dominance of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, already adopted by several NATO countries.
A program in the study phase
The French Ministry of Defense has awarded Airbus Defence and Space a two-year contract for the risk reduction phase of the A321 MPA project. This phase includes wind tunnel testing, definition of technical specifications, and a study of the industrial and economic conditions of the program.
The aim is to launch full-scale development by the end of 2026, followed by production start-up. This program comes at a time when several NATO members have already opted for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, including Canada, Germany, Norway and the UK.
The P-8, derived from the Boeing 737-800ERX, dominates the maritime patrol aircraft market thanks to its AN/APY-10 radar, sonobuoys and its capacity to carry Mk 54 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.
A platform optimized for maritime missions
The Airbus A321 MPA will be based on the A321XLR (eXtra Long Range) version of the A321neo, with a range of 8,700 km and increased fuel-carrying capacity.
Its longer fuselage than that of the A320 allows for better sensor distribution, a larger weapons bay and a larger payload. The mission architecture will be open-ended to ensure upgradeability throughout the aircraft’s life cycle.
Thales will be the main supplier of mission systems, including :
- AESA synthetic aperture radar for ship and submarine detection
- Acoustic system with passive and active sonobuoys
- Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) to detect submerged submarines
- Electro-optical/infrared sensors (FLIR) for reconnaissance
- Electronic Support Measures (ESM) to intercept radio-frequency transmissions
The A321 MPA can also be armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, including the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) missile being developed with the UK and Italy.
A strategic role in nuclear deterrence
One of the major roles of the A321 MPA will be to protect the French Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SNLE). The latter, based at Île Longue, are responsible for France’s nuclear deterrent.
Today, the Atlantique 2 plays an essential role in this mission, providing surveillance of the SNLEs as they leave and return from patrols. The A321 MPA will need to be equipped with high-performance sensors to detect and track any submarine or surface threats.
The increase in Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean reinforces the importance of a high-performance maritime patrol capability. Russia’s Yasen and Borei class submarines, armed with cruise and ballistic missiles, represent a significant threat.
A market dominated by Boeing
The A321 MPA will have to contend with a market largely conquered by the P-8 Poseidon. In addition to NATO countries, nations such as India, South Korea and Australia have already adopted the P-8.
France, however, hopes to export the A321 MPA to alternative markets. Asia-Pacific, particularly around the China Sea, is a region in high demand for maritime surveillance resources due to territorial tensions.
The Middle East also represents an opportunity, as several countries have equipped their air forces with Airbus aircraft. France’s presence in these regions could encourage sales opportunities.
An ambitious but uncertain project
The replacement of the Atlantique 2 should take place before 2035, the deadline set by the French Navy. But budgetary issues, industrial capacity and export difficulties could complicate the future of the A321 MPA.
Without export success, the viability of the program could be called into question. France will therefore have to decide whether to pursue this project on its own, or opt for international cooperation.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.