French ATL2 targeted by Russian fire-control radar during patrol over Baltic Sea

A French Navy Atlantique 2 (ATL2) maritime patrol aircraft was illuminated by the fire control radar of a Russian naval unit during a surveillance mission over international waters in the Baltic Sea, according to a statement from the French Chief of the Defense Staff. 

The aircraft was participating in Operation Baltic Sentry, a NATO mission focused on monitoring critical underwater infrastructure in the region when it became the target of what officials described as an intimidation maneuver. The exact Russian asset involved was not specified. Fire control radar lock-ons are typically considered a hostile signal, as they simulate a targeting action for potential missile strikes. 

“These ostentatious, unnecessarily aggressive measures aim to hinder freedom of navigation in international spaces,” the Chief of Staff’s office said, adding that the crew reacted with composure and continued their mission without escalating the situation. 

The Baltic Sea has become a flashpoint in the broader confrontation between Russia and NATO. Western allies increased surveillance and patrol missions to protect vulnerable undersea infrastructure, including pipelines and fiber-optic cables, which have been recurringly the target of sabotage. 

Mer Baltique | Contribution de l’avion de patrouille maritime ATL2 #BalticSentry.Lors d’une mission de surveillance des infrastructures sous marines critiques dans les eaux internationales de la Baltique, un ATL2 a été la cible d’une manœuvre d’intimidation par une… pic.twitter.com/6JC9wNHqiU— Armée française – Opérations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) March 19, 2025

A proven maritime workhorse 

The Dassault-Breguet Atlantique 2 (ATL2), introduced into French service in 1992, is a modernized variant of the Breguet Atlantic – a maritime patrol aircraft originally developed in the 1960s during the Cold War. While its design is rooted in an earlier era, the ATL2 has undergone continuous upgrades to meet the evolving demands of 21st-century naval operations. 

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprop engines, the ATL2 boasts a cruising speed of up to 600 kilometers per hour and an impressive range of over 7,300 kilometers, making it ideal for extended patrols across vast maritime zones. The aircraft can carry up to 3.5 tons of weaponry, including torpedoes, depth charges, naval mines, and the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile, enabling it to perform both anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. 

The ATL2 plays a vital role in France’s strategic posture, regularly conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for both national defense and NATO operations. 

Looking ahead, the ATL2 is set to be succeeded by a new generation of maritime patrol aircraft. In February 2025, France’s Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded a development contract to Airbus Defence and Space, with Thales as a key partner, for the A321 MPA, a next-generation platform based on the long-range Airbus A321XLR commercial airliner. 

Escalating provocations in the region 

This latest incident follows a troubling pattern of unsafe and provocative behavior by Russian forces in the region. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO allies have documented a surge in risky encounters across air and sea domains. 

In January 2025, another French ATL2 was reportedly targeted by a Russian S-400 air defense system, likely based in Kaliningrad, following an electronic jamming attempt. 

A separate incident in November 2024 involved the German frigate Nordrhein-Westfalen escorting a Russian corvette and a civilian tanker through the Baltic Sea. When a German NH90 Sea Lion helicopter approached for inspection, the Russian crew responded with flares rather than standard radio communication. 

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In July 2023, Russian Su-35 fighter jets harassed both US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syria and French Rafale fighters engaged in anti-ISIS operations, prompting international criticism. The post French ATL2 targeted by Russian fire-control radar during patrol over Baltic Sea appeared first on AeroTime.

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