French Navy receives eleventh Atlantique 2 modernized to standard 6

French Navy Atlantique 2.

The Direction générale de l'armement (Directorate General of Armaments) received and handed over the 11th Atlantique 2 (ATL2) modernized to standard 6 to the French Navy on 6 April 2023. The upgrade works were carried out by Sabena as a subcontractor of Dassault Aviation.

This modernization aims to enable operational use of the aircraft after 2030. It involves the integration of new system technologies, mission tactics, sensor subsystems and display consoles, to address the obsolescence of some systems and restore aircraft performance at the highest level.

The equipment installed is among the most efficient or performing in the sector, such as the new Searchmaster radar, which benefits from active antenna technology developed by Thales for the Rafale.

The ATL2s will thus improve their ability to face modern threats in all weather conditions, such as the latest generation of submarines and surface ships, or land vehicles.

The Atlantique is the only French-built maritime patrol aircraft in service since the late 1990s designed for anti-submarine warfare. It contributes to the safety and autonomy of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, to the protection of naval forces in operation and participates in the control of the air-sea environment above and below the coast, from the coast to the open sea. It can also be configured for intelligence gathering and other missions at sea.

LPM 2019-2025 provides for the upgrade of 18 ATL2 aircraft to standard 6 by 2025.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Image: French Navy