French Navy Fields Falcon 2000LXS Albatros For Maritime Surveillance

The French Navy is introducing the Falcon 2000LXS-based Albatros for its AVSIMAR maritime-surveillance program, with initial operational capability expected in late 2026. France ordered seven aircraft in 2020 and five more in 2025, taking the planned fleet to twelve. The type combines a Searchmaster active electronically scanned radar, Euroflir 410 electro-optical sensor, communications links and rescue equipment for patrol, monitoring and support missions. It will progressively replace aging Falcon 200 and Falcon 50 aircraft rather than arriving as an anti-submarine combat platform in French maritime aviation service.