Aviation News – The French Navy officially received its 18th and final Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft upgraded to the Standard 6 configuration on February 17, 2026. This delivery marks the completion of a vital modernization program designed to ensure France maintains a competitive edge in sub-surface warfare and maritime surveillance through the 2030s.
The DGA (France’s defense procurement agency) handed over the aircraft to the Marine nationale at the Lann-Bihoué naval air base in Brittany. This milestone concludes a long-term development cycle that began on October 4, 2013, when the initial upgrade contract was awarded. While Dassault Aviation modernized the first seven units between 2019 and 2023, the French armed forces’ own maintenance organization, SIAé, took the lead on the remaining 11 aircraft to finalize the fleet.
The Standard 6 upgrade integrates a new combat system, featuring advanced radar technology and acoustic processing sensors to better detect stealthy threats. These technical enhancements allow the aging airframe to operate effectively in high-intensity environments, providing the crew with superior situational awareness and the ability to coordinate complex anti-submarine missions.
