February 18, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Saudi Arabia expands naval capabilities with four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft
Delivery of the first batch of C-27 J MPAs to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces is expected to commence in 2029.
An Italian Air Force Leonardo C-27J Spartan displays its agility during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, England, July 18, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody J.
A. Mott) BEIRUT — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contracted four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) from Italian firm Leonardo — the first customer to do so with “maritime weapon system integration capability,” the company announced. “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,” the company said in a Monday statement.