Leonardo will supply four C-27J Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence, introducing new maritime patrol and multi-mission capabilities. The agreement has been widely covered by leading newspapers.

Fleet expansion and global presence

The Leonardo C-27J Spartan multi-mission tactical transport aircraft continues to expand its global footprint. The in-service fleet has surpassed 290,000 flight hours, reflecting sustained operational use across multiple operators.

Deliveries of the four C-27J MPAs to Saudi Arabia are scheduled to begin in 2029. Upon entry into service, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces will become the 21st operator of the C-27J worldwide.

Strengthening bilateral cooperation

The latest agreement underlines the established relationship between Leonardo and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It follows a previous in-country acquisition announced in summer 2025 for two aircraft configured for firefighting, cargo transport and medical evacuation missions.

The new contract further demonstrates the versatility of the C-27J platform, combining transport, disaster response and multi-domain surveillance capabilities within a single airframe.