Italian Air Force receives first P-72As

Leonardo-Finmeccanica has delivered the first two of four ATR 72MPs to the Italian Air Force. 

The aircraft, designated P-72A in Italian service, will replace the air force’s obsolete Breguet Atlantic. 

Based on the ATR 72-600 turboprop, the aircraft will be deployed in a range of missions including maritime patrol for the search and identification of surface vessels, search and rescue, counter piracy and smuggling operations, territorial water security and humanitarian response missions.

The ATR 72MPs will be equipped with communication systems able to transmit or receive information in real time to/from command and control centres either on the ground, in the air or at-sea, to ensure coordinated and effective operations. The aircraft will also be equipped with a self-protection system. 

Delivery of all four aircraft will be complete by 2017. 

Mauro Moretti, Leonardo’s chief executive officer and general manager said: ‘Security and environmental protection are both vitally important to our country’s economy. As well as international trade passing through our coastal territory, we need to remain vigilant to illegal trafficking and migration flows. Therefore, in order to protect our economic strength and national security we have provided the ATR 72MP, which comes equipped with Leonardo’s latest security and surveillance systems.’