Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1532587
Time for a Successor to the Bréguet 1150 Atlantique 2 The need to replace the currently operated Bréguet 1150 Atlantique 2 patrol aircraft arose in the first decade of this century due to rising maintenance costs and the aircraft reaching the limits of its modernization potential. To re- duce expenses, France initially envisioned launching an international project involving other European countries, including Spain, Germany, and Norway, all of which ope- rated or had previously operated Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion turboprop patrol aircraft, which, like the Atlantique 2, required replacement. Ultimately, all potential European participants opted for available alternatives: Spain chose to procure the C-295MPA/MSA, while Germany and Norway selected the American Boeing P-8A Poseidon. At present, estimating the cost and unit price of the A321MPA remains difficult. The French Navy's poten- tial demand is estimated at around 26 aircraft. However, despite the possible use of components from the C-295MPA, the program may prove uneconomical. It is also worth noting that, according to some media reports, Paris is considering purchasing Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. Over 200 P-8 aircraft have been delivered so far, with more than 100 initially planned for the U.S. Navy. The program's only likely salvation would be securing ad- ditional foreign partners, which may prove challenging. Canada has already decided to acquire the P-8A Poseidon, and other countries may not have the demand for a suf- ficiently large fleet. Potential buyers include Denmark, the Netherlands, and Italy, though they are also likely to fol- low the trend of choosing established solutions. Beyond the A321MPA, Boeing dominates the market, and further export contracts are only a matter of time. In addition to the U.S. Navy, the P-8 has been purchased by India, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea. France currently operates a small number of aging Bréguet 1150 Atlantique 2 aircraft, which require replacement in the coming years. Image Credit: US Navy www.fragoutmag.com