With an eye on bolstering its naval capabilities amid rising regional security threats in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia is acquiring Leonardo’s C-27 tactical airlifter for armed maritime patrols, becoming the first country to purchase the aircraft in that configuration.
Leonardo will deliver four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence as per the deal signed between the two sides on February 16, 2026.
These aircraft will be equipped to combat submarine and surface threats, ensure efficient Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and conduct airdrop and transport missions.
Expected to be delivered by 2029, the C-27J MPA will be operated by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), expanding the kingdom’s fixed-wing maritime patrol capabilities for the first time.
Notably, the latest purchase will bring the total number of C-27Js in Saudi inventory to six, building upon last year’s acquisition of two C-27Js dedicated to firefighting, cargo transport, and medical evacuation roles.
“This significant achievement confirms the strong bond between Leonardo and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, increasing the number of C-27Js ordered by KSA users, following the recent (Summer 2025) in-country acquisition of two units dedicated to firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation tasks. It also marks the first time the C-27J MPA is procured with maritime weapon system integration capability. Further evidence of the platform’s versatility, able to uniquely combine transport, disaster response and multi-domain surveillance capabilities,” Leonardo said in its press statement.
Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of a MPA-tailored variant of the C-27J is significant for addressing evolving maritime threats amid a rise in threats, particularly in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, by state actors (such as Iran) as well as non-state actors (such as Yemen-based Houthis). The C-27J MPA is designed to counter these modern threats effectively, providing a dedicated platform for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW).
So far, Saudi Arabia has lacked a robust fixed-wing maritime patrol capability. The acquisition of the C-27J MPA is meant to fill that gap, marking the kingdom’s first such dedicated asset aligned directly with the evolving naval needs.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in the American Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) around 2017, during a high-profile visit by then-US President Donald Trump. At the time, a letter of intent (LoI) was reportedly signed by Saudi Arabia and Boeing for the potential acquisition of 6 to 8 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The US government even listed Saudi Arabia as a prospective buyer in some program documents.
The P-8 Poseidon is a high-end, long-range jet with exceptional endurance, speed, and persistence for wide-area ocean patrols.
It is not clear why KSA abandoned the purchase of such a capable aircraft that is operated by US allies and partners globally. We know that Saudi Arabia has pursued a broader defence procurement strategy to reduce its reliance on US systems, but it recently obtained Trump’s approval to buy the F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft.
Until now, Saudi naval modernisation has emphasised helicopters, as evident by the past purchase of the American MH-60R. Some experts believe that the C-27J provides Saudi Arabia with an entry-level fixed-wing MPA within a tight schedule, and at lower risk and lower cost than a major program like the P-8, which would require extensive infrastructure, training, and logistics setup. This, however, is merely a conjecture and not officially acknowledged or confirmed by Saudi Arabia.
Nonetheless, the C-27J MPA, based on the well-proven C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft, enables quick reconfiguration for patrol, surveillance, transport, airdrop, and even disaster response scenarios, which may have been a driver of Saudi Arabia’s purchase. The platform is more cost-effective than larger, specially designed aircraft like the P-8 Poseidon and is better suited for difficult conditions with longer endurance.
The aircraft supports effective Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, which are crucial along Saudi Arabia’s extensive coastline and maritime traffic routes. Additionally, it strengthens overall maritime domain awareness, including coastal monitoring and reconnaissance, amid regional tensions.
C-27J For Saudi Arabia
The C-27J is a multi-mission tactical transport aircraft developed by Leonardo, often described as a smaller, more agile version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. It can operate from short, unprepared runways and has accumulated over 290,000 flight hours in service worldwide.
While the base model is primarily a transport aircraft, specialised variants exist for roles such as maritime patrol, SAR, command and control (C3), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
C-27J has been sold to 19 countries so far.
The Italian Air Force operates a “Praetorian” special mission variant configured for C3-ISR (command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) with roll-on/roll-off mission systems and ISR equipment. This is the first European nation to operate such a tailored ISR-focused configuration.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard operates 14 HC-27J variants tailored for maritime patrol, surveillance, medium-range search and rescue (SAR), drug/migrant interdiction, and disaster response. However, it has not yet been sold as an armed maritime patrol aircraft, making Saudi Arabia the first true buyer of the configuration.
The C-27J MPA for Saudi Arabia has been equipped with Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) system for mission management and data fusion, integrating sensors for detection, identification, and tracking of surface and submarine targets. This includes advanced radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and electronic support measures, according to Leonardo.
The plane can carry a lot of cargo, including depth charges, anti-ship missiles (such as the MBDA Marte-ER), and torpedoes for supporting both anti-surface vessel warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
Some reports stated that WASS Submarine Systems and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence struck a deal for the supply of MU90 lightweight torpedoes at the World Defence Show 2026, adding that this package includes some torpedoes intended for use on the recently ordered MPAs.
A key upgrade on this MPA variant is the ability to carry a substantial payload of up to 3,400 kilograms on six wing pylons, enabling the RSNF to transition from passive surveillance to active threat neutralisation.
Additionally, the aircraft features modern avionics, navigation, communication, identification, and self-defence systems that enable operations in high-threat areas and in military or civilian airspace, day or night, and in all weather conditions. It has a full array of communication functions, including beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) capabilities, for sharing data in real time with other units and ground control centres.
The variant tailored for use by Saudi Arabia reportedly retains short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, meaning the aircraft can operate from austere or unprepared airstrips, extending its reach into remote areas as and when needed for a mission.
The most significant feature of the aircraft, however, is its mission versatility. The cabin design allows for quick reconfiguration, and the mission consoles and components can be removed to convert the aircraft back to a standard transport configuration for cargo, airdrop, or medical evacuation missions. This modular approach makes it suitable for multi-role operations beyond just maritime patrol.
For Leonardo, the latest contract validates the armed MPA configuration of the C-27J, broadening its market reach and potentially leading to additional sales. It emphasises how the platform evolved from a simple means of transportation into an advanced, weaponised tool.
Amid regional tensions, this acquisition is a significant step in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s naval aviation by providing fixed-wing capabilities for maritime surveillance, strike, and anti-submarine operations. It also strengthens the kingdom’s defence posture against surface and underwater threats while preserving flexibility for non-combat roles.
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