France Orders Five New Falcon 2000 Albatros Patrol Aircraft

The French Directorate General for Armaments has signed a contract for the supply of five new Falcon 2000 Albatros patrol aircraft.

Dassault Aviation shared the aircraft will be equipped with the most advanced multifunctional radars.

This decision complemented a previous order in 2020, under which the French fleet was to receive seven such aircraft with an option to purchase five more.

This will bring the total number of Albatros in the French air force to 12, which will significantly upgrade the patrol fleet.

The new aircraft will gradually replace the outdated Falcon 50M and Falcon 200 Guardian models, which have been used in France for decades for maritime patrols.

The Albatros is based on the Falcon 2000 LXS business jet, but the aircraft has undergone significant modifications to perform military missions.

In particular, it is equipped with the SearchMaster radar system from Thales and the Euroflir 410 optoelectronic station from Safran.

The aircraft has satellite communication channels that allow for real-time transmission of intelligence data and is equipped with equipment for search and rescue operations.

The aircraft is equipped with emergency beacons, rescue kits, smoke and light markers, which significantly expands its functionality in critical situations.

One of the key advantages of the Albatros is its one-third longer range and flight duration than the aircraft it replaces.

The first Albatros prototype flew in January 2025 and is currently being tested at the Istres airbase in southern France.

The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the fleet by the end of 2026. Deliveries will take place in stages to ensure continuity of operations during the transition period.