LIMA 2023: Leonardo wins Malaysian contract for 2 ATR 72 MPAs.

According to a PR published by Leonardo on May 25, 2023, the Ministry of Defence of Malaysia has signed a contract with Leonardo to acquire two ATR 72 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) platforms.

ATR 72MP aircraft. (Picture source: Leonardo)

The signing ceremony took place at LIMA 2023, a prominent maritime and defense exhibition held in Langkawi, Malaysia. This contract comes after Malaysia's selection of Leonardo's solution, which was announced in October 2022. The chosen ATR 72 MPA reflects its effectiveness and capability as a well-suited platform for Malaysia's operational needs.

The ATR 72 MPA is a twin-turboprop aircraft specifically designed for complex maritime patrol missions. As a specialized variant of the ATR regional transport aircraft, it is equipped with advanced security and surveillance systems developed by Leonardo.

Its versatile capabilities include maritime surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface unit Warfare (AsuW), Search & Rescue (SAR), environmental monitoring, medical evacuation, and personnel and material transport.

The aircraft selected by Malaysia maintains the reliability, maintainability, low lifecycle costs, and comfort features of the baseline ATR 72-600. Additionally, they will be equipped with a flexible mission system, advanced sensors, and a comprehensive communications suite for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions over land and sea.

These sensors and mission systems can operate independently or in net-centric modes, facilitating the collection, processing, and sharing of strategic data among operators and providing complete situational awareness.

The ATR 72 MPA is optimized for maritime patrol, electronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering, sea surface and submerged target detection and tracking, SAR operations, countering illegal activities (such as drug trafficking, piracy, and smuggling), and safeguarding territorial waters. Furthermore, there is potential for it to evolve into a fully-fledged Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface unit Warfare (AsuW) platform.

The Malaysian configuration will include the modular Leonardo ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) mission system, which is already in service with various military and law enforcement organizations.

ATOS manages the aircraft's on-board sensors, integrates gathered information, and presents a comprehensive and continuously updated tactical picture to the mission system operators.

Leveraging its commercial heritage, the ATR 72 MPA features an ergonomic design that enhances crew efficiency and effectiveness during missions lasting more than 8 hours.

The ATR-based Special Mission aircraft have proven their ability to meet diverse customer requirements across the APAC region. Local operators of the ATR regional turboprop have already benefited from extended logistics support, further solidifying the platform's reliability and availability.