Article Posted on : - Dec 11, 2009

The ATR 42MP is already in operational use with the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Customs Police.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Nigerian Air Force has become the first export customer for ATR 42MP maritime patrol aircraft.

The first of the two ATR 42 MP ordered in March 2007 has been delivered to the Nigerian Air Force while the second aircraft will be delivered in 2010, a report by Defense News website said.

The ATR is jointly built by Alenia, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

ATR 42 MP is fitted with Selex Galileo's Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance system. The aircraft will be use for reconnaissance, patrolling its Exclusive Economic Zone, and performing search and rescue activities.

As per the contract Alenia will give pilot and operator training on the basic aircraft as well as training on the MP version. The ATR 42MP is already in operational use with the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Customs Police.

ATR 42 is a derivative of proven ATR 42 commercial aircraft developed to conduct maritime patrol missions and coastal surveillance. It can load the wide spectrum of equipment required to conduct that kind of missions such as radar, FLIR, TV camera, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Communications and Navigation systems. The aircraft can remain on station for up to 8 hours at 200 nautical miles from its base airfield.