The French defense procurement agency has placed an order with Dassault Aviation for five Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft.
Derived from the Falcon 2000LXS business jet, the Albatros is tailored for maritime surveillance and intervention missions. It is capable of low-speed flight from short or demanding airfields and is equipped with a multifunction radar, optronic turret, search-and-rescue kit dispenser, observation windows, and dedicated communication systems. The jet offers a range of 4,000 nautical miles (about 7,400 kilometers/4,600 miles) and is developed in cooperation with Naval Group, Safran, and Thales.
The latest contract supports France’s plan to field 12 aircraft under the Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Aircraft program. Seven units were ordered in 2020, and the fleet will progressively replace the French Navy’s Falcon 50 Surmar and Falcon 200 Guardian patrol aircraft.
Testing and validation are being conducted at Dassault’s Istres flight center, with conversion work handled at the company’s Mérignac facility. The first Albatros completed its initial flight earlier this year.
Dassault has delivered more than 2,500 Falcons worldwide, with about 10 percent configured for government or military applications such as maritime patrol, medical evacuation, transport, training, and intelligence gathering.
