On 17 February 2026, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) delivered to the French Navy the 18e and the last Atlantique 2 (ATL2) aircraft modernized to standard 6, at the Lann-Bihoué naval aviation base.
The modernization, which focuses on the ATL2 combat system, aims to allow the aircraft to be used operationally after 2030 with increased performance.
The modernized ATL2s improve their ability to deal with threats in all weathers, whether they come from submarines, the latest generation surface ships, or land vehicles.
This renovation consisted of integrating new technologies into the existing aircraft in the tactical mission system, sensor subsystems and display consoles, dealing with obsolescence and bringing aircraft performance to the highest levels.
The equipment installed is among the most efficient and efficient in the aeronautics industry, such as Thales’ new Searchmaster radar, which benefits from the active antenna technology developed for the Rafale.
The ATL2, a French-made maritime patrol aircraft, in service since the late 1990s, was designed for armed anti-submarine warfare. It contributes to the safety and autonomy of the Strategic Oceanic Force’s (FOST) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) as well as to the protection of naval forces in operation.
The ATL2 thus participates in the control of the air-sea environment, from the coast to the open sea; It can also be configured to perform a variety of missions such as airborne support to ground combat and intelligence gathering.