Leonardo will supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) with two ATR 72MPA maritime patrol aircraft to bolster the country’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
The contract announcement at the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition on 25 May in the presence of Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hassan is part of an RM10.1 billion ($3.3 million) overhaul of the country’s armed forces.
Under Phase 1 of the Malaysian Rolling Plan, the Malaysian Armed Forces will also acquire 18 KAI FA-50 Fighter-Lead-In-Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft from South Korea, four leased UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters for the Malaysian Army, and three TAI Anka Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones from Turkey.
“Two units of Phase 1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and associated equipment from Leonardo will be procured,” the Malaysian Ministry of Defence said in a statement. “In addition, plans are in place to procure more defence assets under the next Malaysian Rolling Plan.”
The ATR 72MPA is based upon the successful ATR 72-600 regional turboprop airliner and its latest configuration is similar to the P-72A maritime patrol aircraft currently in service with the Italian Air Force.
The aircraft incorporates Leonardo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) mission system, Seaspray 7300E V2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mode radar and ULISSES (Ultra Light SonicS Enhanced System) lightweight modular Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system.
Speaking after the announcement at LIMA 2023, a Leonardo spokesperson said the two ATR 72MPA aircraft had been ordered by Malaysia after a thorough evaluation of the market place. Although the aircraft had been selected by Malaysia in October 2022, the formal announcement was only made on the final trade day of the show.
“We are proud that the Malaysian Government has chosen our ATR 72MPA, an aircraft which represents Leonardo's advanced technological capabilities in the design and integration of platforms and systems at the highest levels,” said Dario Marfè, Leonardo’s Senior Vice President of Aircraft Commercial & Customer Services. “The ATR 72MPA combines reliability and low operating costs, all the advantages of the ATR 72-600 regional passenger transport aircraft, and features a state-of-the-art Leonardo mission system. It is positioned on the market as a tremendously effective solution for the security and defence of its customers.”