France has placed a new order for five Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft, strengthening its maritime surveillance capabilities. The contract was awarded to Dassault Aviation by the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) as part of the broader AVSIMAR program, which aims to field a total of twelve aircraft. This latest order follows an initial batch of seven aircraft commissioned in December 2020.
The Falcon 2000 Albatros is a versatile maritime patrol platform derived from the reliable Falcon 2000LXS business jet. It is equipped with a comprehensive mission suite designed for homeland protection and maritime security. This includes a multifunction radar, a high-performance optronic turret, observation windows, a dedicated Search & Rescue (SAR) kit release system, and advanced communication links. The aircraft’s 4,000-nautical-mile range and robust performance make it ideally suited for monitoring France’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone.
Dassault Aviation is developing the aircraft in collaboration with key industry partners Naval Group and Thales. The conversion of the airframes is managed at Dassault’s facility in Mérignac, with flight testing conducted at the Istres flight test center. The company’s Chairman and CEO, Éric Trappier, highlighted Dassault’s long-standing expertise in this domain, citing previous Falcon models in service with the French Navy and international coast guards. He noted that the Falcon 2000 Albatros provides a critical response to modern challenges like pollution control, anti-trafficking operations, fisheries policing, and search and rescue missions, ensuring France remains a leader in maritime intervention.
