French Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft “Locked On” by Russian S-400 Over Baltic Sea

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – During the night of January 15-16, a French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was “locked on” by the radar of a Russian S-400 air defense system while flying over the Baltic Sea.

The S-400 radar, believed to be stationed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, is tasked with monitoring NATO air assets in the vicinity.

Kaliningrad, a small Russian territory geographically separated from mainland Russia, borders NATO member states Poland and Lithuania.

“On Wednesday night, a French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft became the target of Russian provocation,” French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in a statement on X.

“The aircraft was patrolling in international airspace over the Baltic Sea as part of a NATO operation and was illuminated by the fire-control radar of a Russian S-400 air defense system.

“This aggressive Russian action is unacceptable. Our armed forces will continue to act to defend the freedom of navigation in international air and sea spaces,” said the French Defence Minister.

“Illuminating our maritime patrol aircraft in international waters with radar is an aggressive action. The professional attitude of the crew prevented any escalation,” said French Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Guillaume Vernet.

Reports also suggest that in addition to the radar lock-on by the S-400 system, the French maritime patrol aircraft faced electronic warfare (EW) interference from Russian military units.

At the time of the incident, the Atlantique 2 had departed from its base in Brittany, northern France, and was reportedly conducting surveillance and monitoring operations near Swedish waters and the Baltic Sea.

The Baltic Sea is a routine operational area for Atlantique 2 and other NATO maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft.

These missions ensure the safety of navigation and monitor Russian naval and air movements, as well as activities in Kaliningrad.

The Atlantique 2, equipped with advanced surveillance systems, is also capable of carrying cruise missiles and torpedoes. However, it remains unclear whether the aircraft was armed during the incident.

Comparable to Russia’s Tu-142 and the U.S. Navy’s P-8 Poseidon, the Atlantique 2 can fly up to 4,300 nautical miles and remain airborne for 14 hours.

The radar lock-on incident occurred amid heightened tensions between France and Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

France has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing extensive military aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russian aggression.

Specifications of the Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (ATL2)

General Information

• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation

• Type: Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)

• Introduction: 1989 (original version); upgraded version introduced in 2019

• Primary Operator: French Navy (Marine Nationale)

Dimensions

• Length: 31.6 meters

• Wingspan: 36 meters

• Height: 10.9 meters

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 650 km/h (350 knots)

• Patrol Speed: 315 km/h (170 knots)

• Range: 7,400 km

• Endurance: Up to 14 hours (mission-dependent)

Engines

• Type: 2 x Rolls-Royce Tyne RTy 20 Mk 21

• Power Output: 6,100 hp each

 

Avionics and Sensors

• Maritime Radar: Thales Searchmaster for surface and sub-surface target detection

• Electro-Optical/IR System: Safran Euroflir 410 turret for day and night visual monitoring

• Acoustic Detection: Sonar processing system for submarine tracking, including sonobuoy deployment

• Electronic Warfare (EW) System: For electronic detection and disruption

• Data Link System: Real-time communication with ground units or other vessels

Armaments

• Torpedoes: MU90 Impact (anti-submarine missions)

• Missiles: Exocet AM39 (anti-surface missions)

• Other Weapons: Depth charges and air-to-ground missiles

Standard 6 Upgrades

Ongoing upgrades to the Atlantique 2 under the “Standard 6” program include:

1. Enhanced maritime radar (Thales Searchmaster).

2. Advanced electro-optical and infrared detection systems (Euroflir 410).

3. Improved data processing software.

4. Upgraded electronic warfare and communication systems.

The French Navy initially operated 28 Atlantique 2 aircraft, but this number was reduced to 22 by 2012.

Of these, 18 are undergoing upgrades to the Standard 6 configuration, which is expected to be completed by 2025.

These enhancements aim to keep the fleet operational until 2035, ensuring its continued relevance in modern naval operations. – DSA