Malaysia pushes forward with ATR 72 MPA acquisition

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MOD) formally inked a contract with Leonardo for the acquisition of two ATR 72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) platforms during a ceremony that took place during the biennially-held Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia on May 25.

The move follows Malaysia’s selection of the MPA solution offered by Leonardo, which was announced in October 2022 and includes the supply of two ATR Special Mission Aircraft configured for maritime patrol operations, along with related integrated logistical support and training services. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M turboprop engines, the platform in question is the latest militarised variant of the ATR 72 family of regional airliners and is specifically designed to conduct complex maritime patrol missions, including maritime surveillance; anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; search-and-rescue; environmental monitoring; medical evacuation and personnel/cargo transport operations.

An Italian Air Force-operated ATR P-72A (the local designation of the ATR 72 MPA) in-flight. The aircraft ordered by Malaysia will be delivered in a very similar configuration.
An Italian Air Force-operated ATR P-72A (the local designation of the ATR 72 MPA) in-flight. The aircraft ordered by Malaysia will be delivered in a very similar configuration. Leonardo/Luca La Cavera

Leonardo states that the aircraft purchased by Malaysia will be equipped with a “flexible mission system, advanced sensors and a complete communications suite for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions over land and sea.” The two ATR 72s will also be fitted with Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) mission system, which manages the aircraft’s onboard sensors, fusing the information gathered and presenting operators with a comprehensive and continuously updated tactical picture of the battlespace.

In addition, the aircraft will each be equipped with a Leonardo Seaspray 7300E V2 multi-mode active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, along with the company’s Ultra-Light SonicS Enhanced System (ULISSES), which is an integrated acoustic sensor system designed to listen out for enemy submarines and pinpoint their location. Combined with an electro-optical sensor turret with colour and monochrome cameras, electronic warfare sensors, an Automatic Identification System and an Airborne Search and Rescue System Direction Finder, these systems will be integrated together through the ATOS mission suite, giving operators a complete picture of the battlespace. It remains unclear when these aircraft will be delivered to the Malaysian MOD.