Russian fire-control radar locks French ATL2 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. 

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.