LEONARDO CONQUISTA L'ARABIA SAUDITA con IL NUOVO C-27J MPA SPARTAN

Italy, through Leonardo, has finalized a contract with Saudi Arabia for the supply of four C-27J MPA (Armed Maritime Patrol) aircraft. After days of rumors, the company has officially confirmed the agreement. The agreement is part of the recent visit to Riyadh by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto during the World Defense Show 2026. Deliveries to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces will begin in 2029. With this order, Saudi Arabia becomes the 21st global operator of the C-27J. This acquisition follows the acquisition of two aircraft for firefighting, transport, and medical evacuation in summer 2025, further strengthening bilateral industrial cooperation. This is the first sale of the C-27J MPA with integrated maritime weapons systems. The platform is designed for anti-submarine, anti-surface, and ISR missions, with ELINT and SIGINT capabilities. Sensors include an AESA radar, an electro-optical/infrared system, electronic support measures, a magnetic anomaly detector, and an acoustic subsystem. The aircraft can carry up to 3,600 kg of weapons on six underwing points, including torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and depth charges. Endurance exceeds nine hours, extendable to approximately twelve with additional tanks on wet pylons or in-flight refueling. Leonardo states a delivery time of 36 months from the order. During the same visit, a contract was also signed for the supply of lightweight MU90 torpedoes by WASS Submarine Systems, potentially for integration on new patrol vessels. #Leonardo #C27J #Spartan #MPA #SaudiArabia #Defense #Aerospace #MaritimePatrol #ASW #ASuW #ISR #ELINT #SIGINT #WorldDefenseShow #GuidoCrosetto #Riyadh #ItalianIndustry #DefenseExport #MU90 #WASS #Vision2030 #NavalAviation #Geopolitics